What happens when a nation lives longer but breathes dirty air? Researchers in Japan have set out to answer this question, revealing the deadly charging of fine pollution of particles on the largest citizens in the country.
What happens?
A study by Tokyo University, published in the journal Natural Resistance, emphasizes the health risks and differences in the care that the elderly face from exposure to pollution to fine particles, also known as PM2.5.
According to IQair, PM2.5 levels in Japan are 1.7 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit.
Analyzing 170,000 medical records from all over Japan, researchers have found that people over 65 are disproportionately affected by the impact on the health of fine particle pollution and restricted access to medical care.
This difference in medical access is noted by the researchers, it stems from the fact that many Japan’s elderly people live in rural areas, where health infrastructure is more evolved and more expensive to maintain.
“In many rural areas, there are no specialized hospitals and trained specialists needed to treat diseases exacerbated by PM2.5, such as strokes and heart attacks,” said lead author In Long in press release.
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Long added: “As we age, our immune system weakens and our bodies are less capable of protecting against pollutants. Even moderate exposure can exacerbate existing conditions, leading to higher levels of hospitalization and premature mortality.”
In particular, about 30% of Japan’s population is 65 years or older, the second highest share of world countries and economies after Monaco, according to the World Bank.
Why is the connection between fine particulate matter and aging?
As explained, the aging population is particularly vulnerable to fine particle pollution due to the weakened immune system and decreased respiratory and cardiovascular function.
Pollution of fine particles is associated with serious health problems, including heart attacks, strokes, respiratory diseases and early death. Because these particles are so small, they are difficult to avoid, which makes prevention a major challenge.
These risks are complicated by gaps in access to medical care, especially for aging people living in rural areas. But the consequences do not stop with the elderly. Disease and early retirement among adults can strain all families emotionally and financially.
“For some adults at work age, the exposure to PM2.5 is associated with increased percentages of serious illnesses, forcing many to leave the workforce earlier than planned,” Long says in the press release. “This affects not only their financial independence, but also puts additional pressure on the younger generations to support them.”
The researchers have emphasized the need for purposeful support for the aging population, especially since medical progress allows people to live longer than ever -in a more polluted environment than ever.
What is being done to protect the aging populations in Japan from fine particle pollution?
Researchers hope that these new data will motivate legislators to take action against fine particle pollution. They recommended further pollution policies, including purposeful assistance in protecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
Increasing green infrastructure in urban areas is another key recommendation as plants can naturally filter air pollutants. Researchers also advocated for a broader public health support, including subsidies for elderly care and investment in community health programs.
They also emphasized the need for enhanced telemedicine infrastructure to help elderly residents in urban areas have access to medical attention without a distance as an obstacle.
By identifying an aging population as a particularly risk groups, researchers said their research could help the government “distribute resources more efficiently.”
“The health of our elderly is not just a personal issue. This is a public problem with deep social and economic consequences,” Long says in the press release. “The action can now save lives and reduce long -term costs for all.”
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