Show that the adverse health effects of air pollution are not only limited to high exposures but can be observed all the way down to very low concentration levels, with no observable thresholds below which exposure can be considered safe. The WHO AQG are ambitious but contrast with global discrepancies in air quality trends observed over the past 30 years with most polluted areas in the South and East seeing further deteriorations whereas strong improvements prevail in the global North and West. To put the guidelines into action, major additional efforts are needed at all levels (international, national, local) and across all sectors.
To foster evidence based actions, to reduce the inequity in air quality both within and across countries, and to close the gap between national air quality standards and the new WHO AQG values, science will continue to play a fundamental role. We welcome original research, reviews or commentaries Spain phone number list on the health effects of air pollution that foster the translation of research to policy and action. We particularly encourage submissions of research from low- and middle-income countries that are most heavily affected by air pollution, and typically understudied. Investigations in marginalized communities in high-income countries for evidence based clean air policy and action will be of major interest too.
African countries have witnessed steady improvements in life expectancy in the last decades. These added years of life have led to an increasing number of older persons in the population of SSA. Today, 4.8% percent of the population is older than 60 years and this share is expected to rise to 7.4% by 2050. This seemingly low share, caused by high fertility levels, masks large absolute numbers. By 2050 158 million persons aged 60 years and older are projected to live in the region. The increase in the number of older adults will create challenges for policy makers and Sub-Saharan African societies as a whole. Of particular concern is the vulnerability of older persons regarding ill-health, access to health services and public and private care arrangements.