Helping you breathe easy
MANCHESTER’S public health team have laid bare the effects of pollution, starkly outlining the link between poor air quality and health.
The city’s public health annual report is dedicated to improving the issue of air quality, improving people’s understanding of air pollution, the effects that it is has on health and how we can all play a part in helping to reduce pollution.
While most of us recognise the visible signs of poor air quality such as smog, even air which looks clean can actually have invisible pollutants in it, such as nitrogen oxides and particulates which are bad for our health.
Public Health England estimated that in 2016, the proportion of deaths due to fine particulate matter in Manchester was 5.2 per cent, corresponding to 180 deaths.
Children, pregnant women, older people and people with pre-existing conditions are most at risk, and it can also impact mental health and influence people’s emotions and behaviour.
Coun Bev Craig, executive member of adult health and wellbeing, said: “The effects of poor air quality are real but there are lots of things we can do to look after our own and other people’s health.
“As a council we are also in a position to move this agenda forward with our roles in transport, schools and tobacco control which can help to improve air quality for all.”
During the next year public health will put air quality at the heart of its agenda, with prevention being a key part, including encouraging healthier travel as well as programmes in communities to raise awareness and address issues, such as air pollution impacting their health. Educational programmes will be undertaken in schools to raise awareness of poor air quality with young people and GPs and primary care staff will also provide advice to people with underlying health conditions to manage their condition when air quality is poor. And through the tobacco control work smoke free home and public spaces will continue to be promoted. David Regan, director of public health at Manchester council and director of population health and wellbeing, Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, said: “Air quality is a key priority as a major health issue which increases the risk of some serious illnesses. “The health benefits are obvious if we can all take action to breathe cleaner air both inside and outside our homes.” Visit www.mhcc.nhs.uk to find out more.