WHO: Air Pollution Kills 6.7 Million People Every Year

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said air pollution remains an invisible threat that kills millions of people every year, despite receiving far less attention than outbreaks, earthquakes and other major emergencies.

Speaking during a press conference in Geneva on public health issues and the Ebola virus, Tedros said the world had been making steady progress in reducing air pollution before 2020. However, new WHO data released this year shows that levels of fine particulate matter have changed little since then.

He said around 6.5 billion people are still exposed to air pollution levels exceeding the WHO interim target of 35 micrograms per cubic metre.

Tedros warned that air pollution is linked to heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, and is associated with around 6.7 million deaths every year.

He added that while Asia has made greater progress in reducing pollution levels, sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa have seen limited or no significant improvement over the past decade.

During the briefing, Tedros also addressed the impact of social media and digital environments on the health of children and young people.

He said he had co-authored an article with French President Emmanuel Macron on the issue, pointing to growing international concern over the way online platforms affect young users.

Tedros noted that several governments, including Australia, Canada, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom, have taken steps over the past year to protect children from potential online harms.

He said these measures reflect a growing global consensus that digital environments need effective governance, accountability, responsible design and stronger safeguards to protect children’s health.

The WHO chief stressed that digital environments are not neutral, as the way they are designed, managed and monetised affects many aspects of life, including health.

He warned that repeated exposure to content involving stereotypes, sexualised images, violence or discrimination can affect how children understand themselves and the world around them.