Climate change, Air pollution cause 1 in 4 Cardiovascular Disease-related deaths — NHF
As Nigeria joined the rest of the World to mark this year’s World Heart Day with the theme; “Climate Change and Health Inequality, a Deadly mix for the Most Vulnerable”, experts have decried the increasing number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases, lamenting that 25 per cent of cardiovascular disease-related deaths are caused by climate change and air pollution.
Briefing journalists in Lagos during a press conference by the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), to commemorate the Day, Member, NHF, Nutrition Committee, Mrs Dolapo Coker said 80 per cent of premature deaths from heart diseases can be prevented if tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and air pollution are controlled.
Coker who stressed the need for the Nigerian government to begin to address carbon emissions as part of efforts to reduce cardiovascular diseases said climate change and air pollution complications claim seven million people annually.
Coker, a former President of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, noted that heart diseases also claim 18.6 million lives every year.
“The Year 2022 has seen historic heat waves and, with climate change disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations, we can expect a further widening of the gap in global cardiovascular healthcare equity.”
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She added that working hand in hand with the World Health Organisation, WHO, WHF was calling on governments, civil society, and global industry to meet net-zero targets, tackle global warming and curb air pollution, and deliver healthcare access for all.
“A new global survey by WHF highlights the global concern surrounding the link between climate change and cardiovascular disease with climate change and air pollution ranked as the third most serious issue about cardiovascular health among the respondents. The survey also revealed that awareness of healthcare inequality is growing.
“WHF is also urging healthcare providers to help improve cardiovascular health and prevent CVD mortality by issuing regular reminders to at-risk groups about the dangers of extreme weather events, including tips on managing excessive heat events.”
Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, I- Fitness, Mr Foluso Ogunwale, lamented the prevalence of harmful lifestyles and physical inactivity among many Nigerians.
In her keynote address, the wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu stressed the need for people to desist from unhealthy lifestyles to build a healthy population which in turn would enhance productivity.
On his part, the representative of Quest Oil Group and the Corporate Communications and Branding Manager, Mr Gerald Moore said that the issue of heart health was a concern to the company and pledged their commitment to addressing carbon emissions to reduce heart disease risks.
