Urbanization and health impacts of air pollution in Ukraine: threats and opportunities

Abstract

The aim to conduct a content analysis of studies on the impacts of air pollution on the urban residents’ health in the world and Ukraine, to show the relationship between urbanization and the selected environmental risk factor, to assess its contribution to the global disease burden for Ukraine minimizing harmful effects.Material and methods: Content analysis of research on the air pollution exposure on the urban residents’ health in the world and Ukraine was used. The Data Visualizations / Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) hub data was used to study the contribution to the global burden of disease. GBD 2019 Cause and Risk Summary.Results: At present, changes in thinking and a synergistic approach are needed to fulfill all the goals of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, approved, agreed and set by governments around the world, including Ukraine. Important Global Task 3.9 "Significantly reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and poisoning", was not chosen by Ukraine due to a lack of reliable indicators with a proven cause-and-effect relationship with the environmental factor that caused this disorder. Reducing the level of air pollution can significantly reduce the burden of diseases, primarily those caused by heart disease and stroke, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma.Conclusions: Policies that encourage investment in cleaner transport, energyefficient homes, electricity generation, industry and better household waste management can reduce key sources of air pollution.