Anna Soave: Every day, about 2,000 children die due to air pollution

According to the latest global estimates from the State of Global Air 2024 report, air pollution is the second leading risk factor for death worldwide, including among children under five whose lungs have not yet fully developed.

As reported by Oxu.Az, this was stated by the Head of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Azerbaijan, Anna Soave, at the high-level forum "Inspiration for a New Urban Agenda: Integrating Air Quality and Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Cities," held within the framework of WUF13 and organized by the IDEA Public Association.

"Indoor and outdoor air pollution causes approximately 7 million premature deaths annually according to WHO data, with 89% of these cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. These are staggering figures, and we have the ability to change the situation. These numbers exceed the combined death toll from malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.

UNICEF warns that nearly 2,000 young children die every day due to air pollution — more than one child per minute worldwide.

Older people also face serious risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Particularly vulnerable are low-income families living near congested roads, industrial facilities, or outdated heating systems that were never designed with human health in mind," she said.