Addressing Socio-Economic Health Inequalities Through Improved Air Quality

There is mounting evidence that socio-economic inequalities and the health impacts of air pollution are interlinked. People living in socio-economically disadvantaged areas in EU cities and regions are likely to be exposed to higher levels of air pollution and to experience disproportionately severe health impacts. In these areas or regions, children, pregnant women, the elderly and those living with disease are particularly at risk, given that their overall health status may already be poorer than that of their counterparts living in more affluent areas.

Air pollution is the top environmental threat to health in Europe, with 96% of the urban population breathing unhealthy air. Air pollution leads to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths every year and billions of Euros in health costs. It is also a major risk factor for the exacerbation of existing diseases and all chronic conditions. As the World Health Organization underlines, both short and long-term exposure increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Additionally, exposure to air pollution is linked to reduced lung function, impacts on the developing brain and central nervous system, an increased risk of preterm birth, and reduced birth weight— which in turn create additional health risks later in life. Furthermore, it raises the risk of diabetes, obesity, and dementia.

As EU member states, regional and local authorities prepare to implement the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), this briefing by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) argues that decision-makers and authorities should pay particular attention to addressing socio-economic inequalities in their clean air efforts. The swift transposition and implementation of the new rules, with strengthened administrative collaboration and the full utilisation of financial support schemes, promise significant progress towards cleaner air across Europe. Improved air quality will be beneficial to everyone and contribute to preventing health inequalities for those living in socio economically disadvantaged areas.