|

Global Health and Economic Impact of Lead Exposure

ByThe Short Paper

Global health burden and cost of lead exposure in children and adults: a health impact and economic modelling analysis

Despite significant reductions in lead exposure, it remains a global health threat. A recent study estimated the worldwide burden and cost of intelligence quotient (IQ) loss and cardiovascular disease mortality due to lead exposure. Findings revealed that in 2019, children under 5 years old lost 765 million IQ points, and 5,545,000 adults died from cardiovascular disease due to lead exposure. The majority of these effects occurred in low- and middle-income countries. The total global cost of lead exposure was $6.0 trillion in 2019, equivalent to 6.9% of the global GDP. These findings highlight the substantial health and economic impact of lead exposure, similar to that of PM2.5 air pollution

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(23)00166-3/fulltext

Similar Posts

Global Increase in Wildfire-Driven Air Pollution and Its Impact on Human Health

ByThe Short Paper

Global population exposure to landscape fire air pollution from 2000 to 2019 Wildfires, worsened by climate change, are becoming more severe and frequent. The smoke they produce, which can harm human health, hasn’t been well understood globally. Using advanced models and machine learning, scientists estimated that from 2000 to 2019, people around the world were…

|

Rh Immunoglobulin Unnecessary After First-Trimester Abortion

ByThe Short Paper

Induced Abortion and the Risk of Rh Sensitization A study involving 506 individuals undergoing induced first-trimester abortion found that almost all participants (99.8%) had fetal red blood cell counts below the threshold for Rh sensitization after the procedure. This suggests that Rh testing or immunoglobulin administration following induced first-trimester abortion is unnecessary. Horvath S, Huang Z, Koelper…

|

Promising Breakthrough for Efgartigimod Efficacy in Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia

ByThe Short Paper

Efficacy and safety of the neonatal Fc receptor inhibitor efgartigimod in adults with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ADVANCE IV): a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial Efgartigimod, a novel therapy for primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), has shown significant efficacy in a phase 3 study. ITP, an autoimmune disorder causing low platelet counts and bleeding, was treated…

|

Revolutionary Injectable Prosthesis Speeds Up Tissue Repair

ByThe Short Paper

Injectable tissue prosthesis for instantaneous closed-loop rehabilitation Researchers have developed an innovative injectable tissue prosthesis made of a soft hydrogel combined with gold nanoparticles, allowing instantaneous bidirectional electrical conduction within the neuromuscular system. Unlike previous patch-type devices, this injectable prosthesis conforms to rough, narrow, or deep tissue surfaces. Tested in rats with severe muscle injury,…

|

Mixed Outcomes Revealed in Early Metformin Treatment in Gestational Diabetes

ByThe Short Paper

Early Metformin in Gestational Diabetes This study aimed to determine whether early initiation of metformin could improve outcomes for gestational diabetes. The research found that early treatment with metformin did not significantly reduce the need for insulin initiation or improve fasting hyperglycemia. However, certain secondary outcomes, such as maternal glycemic control and gestational weight gain,…

|

Gut Fungi and Immune Activation in Severe COVID-19: New Insights

ByThe Short Paper

Fungal microbiota sustains lasting immune activation of neutrophils and their progenitors in severe COVID-19 This study delves into the role of gastrointestinal fungal dysbiosis in severe COVID-19 cases and its impact on the host’s immune system. Elevated levels of Candida albicans antibodies were found in severe COVID-19 patients with gut Candida overgrowth, mycobiota imbalance, and…