AIA report highlights how environmental factors contribute to non-communicable diseases
AIA’s ‘The Environment and our Health’ report has shone a spotlight on the effects the environment can have on kiwis’ health outcomes.
On a global scale, 23% of all annual deaths are linked to the environment (12.6 million), with almost two-thirds of these deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The report highlights the five main modifiable behavioural risk factors - physical inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking, excess alcohol intake and our interaction with the environment; which lead to the five main non-communicable diseases - cancer, diabetes, respiratory disease, heart disease and poor mental health. Together these 5 non-communicable diseases are responsible for more than 90% of deaths in New Zealand.
The report calls out the toll climate change takes on human health and wellbeing
The risk of NCDs increases as a direct result of climate change, such as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to air pollution and extreme temperatures. In addition, NCDs are indirectly impacted by climate change, for example through changes to food availability.
The consequences of climate change can cause significant mental distress, as well as exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions. Direct consequences may include trauma related to extreme weather events, while climate change-related disruptions like famine and displacement may indirectly have mental health consequences.
Air pollution is the second leading cause of global NCDs. Air pollution is being increasingly recognised for its carcinogenic effects and as a cause of various other NCDs.
The Global Health Observatory has stated that in 2016, ambient and household air pollution together caused 24% of cases of stroke, 25% of ischaemic heart disease, 29% of lung cancer, and 43% of chronic obstructive respiratory disease.
Globally, almost one-third of cardiovascular disease burden is attributable to household air pollution (17%), ambient air pollution (13%), second-hand tobacco smoke (3%) and exposure to lead (2%). Chronic obstructive respiratory disease deaths are attributable to household air pollution (29%), ambient air pollution (8%) and workplaces (11%).
The report points to unhealthy diets as a leading cause of obesity and diet-related NCDs.
…dietary shifts are greatly increasing the incidence of type II diabetes, coronary heart disease and other chronic NCDs that lower global life expectancies
It also calls out what they refer to as the ‘diet-environment-health trilemma’, where unhealthy diets are driven by unhealthy food environments that cause health issues. They found that foods associated with the largest negative environmental impacts, namely highly processed foods high in refined sugar or saturated fats, are associated with the largest increases in disease risk. The EAT-Lancet Commission developed a “universal healthy reference diet”; if this was adopted globally it would provide major overall health benefits and a large reduction in mortality.
With growing urbanisation, the built environment has a massive impact on both mental health and physical health.
.. the quality of public utilities, walking distance to public spaces, access to transport, and level of infrastructure contribute to a state of wellbeing, positive responses to stress factors, ability to work productively, and community participation.
Levels of physical activity are impacted by the environment via mode of transport, design of cities, and green space access. The environment is integral to encouraging and enabling physical activity. Town planning can facilitate people meeting the recommended levels of daily physical activity due to incidental exercise completed as part of everyday life.
More daily news:
ASB/IPSOS survey finds one in five NZers keep financial secrets in relationships
nib to release videos highlighting the importance of physical activity for kids
nib launches a group health continuation campaign with an incentive for advisers
Ways physical activity can lower your cancer risk
Dr Richard Frith talks about the problems in the health system with suggestions to improve them
Growing body of research suggests our diet has impacts on hayfever
How your dental health can impact your overall health
Obstructive sleep apnoea found to impact cognition
Patient with intellectual disability waits in hospital for six months for hip replacement
Teachers’ union calls for more to be done to protect teachers from Covid this winter