Bad air still leading global cause of early deaths, killed 7.9mn in 2023, study finds

By Admin

24 Oct, 2025

Air pollution has once again emerged as the world’s deadliest environmental threat, claiming 7.9 million lives in 2023, according to the sixth State of Global Air (SoGA) report released by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) in collaboration with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and the NCD Alliance. The report underscores the alarming link between poor air quality and rising deaths caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes, and dementia.

India’s Worsening Air Pollution Crisis

India remains one of the hardest-hit countries. Deaths linked to air pollution in India surged from 1.4 million in 2000 to 2 million in 2023, making pollution the leading risk factor for mortality surpassing high blood pressure and poor diet. The report revealed that 89% of India’s air pollution-related deaths were tied to noncommunicable diseases, reflecting a growing public health emergency.

The findings also showed that air pollution contributes to seven out of ten deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and nearly one in five diabetes-related deaths in India. Although household air pollution has declined due to cleaner cooking fuels and improved energy access, exposure to ambient PM2.5 and ozone continues to rise sharply.

Global NCD Burden on the Rise

Worldwide, the number of deaths from NCDs linked to air pollution increased from 5.99 million in 2000 to 6.8 million in 2023. These chronic conditions, which include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer, account for a staggering 161 million healthy years of life lost each year. The burden extends beyond physical health leading to increased hospitalisations, loss of productivity, and mental health challenges for both patients and families.

Dementia: A New Health Threat Linked to Air Pollution

For the first time, the report incorporated data connecting air pollution to dementia. In 2023 alone, over 625,000 deaths and nearly 12 million healthy years of life lost were attributed to dementia related to air pollution exposure. Scientists warn that fine particulate matter can enter the bloodstream and even reach the brain, triggering inflammation that accelerates cognitive decline.

Shifting Trends and Expert Insights

“While the health impacts due to environmental risk factors such as unsafe water and sanitation have reduced significantly since 2000, the burden due to ambient PM2.5 has increased,” said Pallavi Pant, HEI’s Head of Global Initiatives.
She added that focused interventions to improve clean energy access have helped reduce household air pollution deaths, but the growing threat now lies in outdoor pollution and ozone exposure.

The data used in the SoGA report was derived from PM2.5 and ozone levels measured through ground stations, satellite data, and global transport models, combined with population demographics and disease rates.

Policy Progress and Call for Action

Recognising the urgency, global policymakers have started to respond. In 2018, the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases added air pollution to the top five global risk factors for major NCDs, alongside tobacco, unhealthy diets, inactivity, and alcohol use. The following year, the World Health Assembly officially integrated air pollution into its NCD framework.

Alison Cox, Policy and Advocacy Director at the NCD Alliance, emphasised the importance of swift action:
“Win-win solutions for air pollution and NCDs exist, with added benefits for climate, physical activity, and global development priorities. These policies are effective and deliver a strong return on investment for the sake of our people and the planet, we need to implement them faster.”

A Global Imperative

The report serves as a stark reminder that air pollution is not just an environmental issue it is a profound public health crisis. As the world continues to urbanise and industrialise, the need for clean air initiatives, strict emission controls, and sustainable development has never been greater.

Improving air quality means saving millions of lives, reducing healthcare burdens, and creating healthier communities for generations to come.