From outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, to drug-resistant pathogens, to rising rates of obesity and physical inactivity to environmental pollution and climate change, the world is facing multiple health threats.
Smoking is one of the biggest dangers to our health these days, affecting every organ in the body. The toxins and chemicals in tobacco smoke damage blood vessels, heart tissue, and the lungs.
1. Smoke
There are a number of serious health hazards caused by smoking. These include cancer, heart disease, strokes and aortic aneurysms (a balloon-like bulge in the artery).
Smoking causes heart and circulatory problems and increases the risk of developing diabetes. It also raises the risk of lung diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
It is also a major cause of premature ageing, including wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity. It also causes breathing difficulties, especially in children.
People who smoke have a high risk of developing mental health problems like depression, anxiety and panic attacks. They may use nicotine to help manage their symptoms.
2. Air Pollution
Air pollution is any chemical, gas or particulate matter in the air that can harm human health. It can come from many different sources, including factories, cars, and second-hand smoke.
Pollution in the air causes asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and other health problems. It also increases the risk of death, especially in children and older people.
The most harmful air pollutants are smog and soot. These are gases that are emitted from combustion of fossil fuels, incinerators, power plants and vehicles.
Particulate pollution (PM) is tiny particles that can be inhaled and cause breathing problems, heart attacks, asthma, and lung cancer.
Particulate matter is a major contributor to respiratory diseases and mortality worldwide, with most populations experiencing high levels of PM exposure and associated health risks. Climate change and other factors may also exacerbate this problem in some regions.
3. Climate Change
As temperatures rise, so does our risk of heart disease and other health problems related to pollution. Climate change has also increased airborne pollen and molds, which can worsen asthma symptoms.
Heat waves are another serious problem with climate change. Doctors expect that more people will become sick and die from exposure to heat than ever before.
Global warming has altered the world's average temperature and weather patterns, causing more extreme heat waves, floods and droughts. It has also raised sea levels, which have eroded coastlines and threatened communities with loss of property, homes and livelihoods.
Taking action on climate change is a crucial step toward addressing these issues. You can reduce your carbon footprint by reducing consumption of fossil fuels and by switching to renewable energy sources. You can also offset your emissions by purchasing credits from a trusted green project.
4. Water
Water is one of the most important molecules in all living organisms, and it’s also the only molecule that is able to support the chemical reactions required for life. It’s an essential component of the human body, making up about 60% of our weight.
We need water for many different things: drinking it, washing our hands, irrigating our crops, and even generating electricity through hydroelectric power. But when it’s not available, or has been contaminated with harmful chemicals and waste, water can be dangerous to our health.
For instance, unsafe levels of chemicals in drinking water can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses or nervous system effects. Moreover, drinking water contaminated with faeces can increase the risk of diarrhoea, which kills 829 000 people worldwide each year.