The International Longevity Centre UK (ILC) recently published a study that examines health risks that hinder Europeans from reaching 100 years – a dream that was unimaginable for nearly everyone in post-war Europe. One significant aspect of the study “Going the distance: reimagining health across the 100-year life in Europe” is well-known to the LENS consortium: air pollution.
What did the ILC study say about air pollution?
Even though this specific subject was not the main aspect of the study, air pollution was highlighted several times as a main cause for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are rising, as “the detrimental effects of air pollution persist”, as stated in the summary of the study.
Even though the authors of the study praise the drop in air pollution in Europe, they continue to urge governments and location authorities to take action: “Air pollutant emissions in Europe have dropped from 65 million tonnes in 1990 to 20 million tonnes in 2021. But these remain the region’s leading preventable environmental health risk, causing 300,000 premature deaths annually” (P23).
What other core messages does the study include?
The rise NCDs, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory conditions, poses a growing burden, with 90% of premature deaths in Europe linked to preventable lifestyle factors.
Health systems remain largely reactive, underfunding prevention and failing to adapt to demographic shifts. Adult vaccination rates are low, mental health conditions are rising, especially among young people, and there are stark inequalities in health outcomes between and within countries. Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, and geography all influence access to care and exposure to risk factors.
Environmental threats like air pollution continue to cause hundreds of thousands of premature deaths annually. In urban areas, the vast majority of residents are exposed to unsafe air quality. Sedentary lifestyles, poor diets and substance use further increase health risks. The report warns that without urgent action to address these interconnected challenges, Europe’s ageing population will face worsening health outcomes and increasing strain on already stretched healthcare systems.