What in the World How asthma is affecting Africa
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Jan 6, 2025 Asthma poses a silent epidemic across Africa, with nearly half of the world's sufferers found on the continent. Many individuals, especially children, go undiagnosed due to socio-economic barriers and cultural stigmas. Experts discuss the alarming rise in asthma linked to urbanization and worsening air quality in cities like Lagos. They highlight the urgent need for better air quality and awareness of asthma's health impacts. As cities grow and pollution increases, efforts are underway to tackle this pressing health challenge.
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Lagos Air Quality
- Doyin Ogunye describes Lagos' air quality as terrible, especially during the harmattan season.
- She notes dust, clogged drainages, and a bad smell, causing chest pain and coughs.
Asthma Prevalence in Africa
- Data collection on asthma in Africa is difficult and expensive, hindering accurate estimations.
- A 2013 study estimates 119 million asthma sufferers, nearly half the global total, with cases increasing.
Undiagnosed Asthma in African Children
- A study of 27,000 children in six African countries revealed over 3,000 with asthma symptoms.
- However, only 600 had been formally diagnosed, highlighting underdiagnosis.