Global air quality enhancement pathways to health benefits and environmental justice

Nowadays, air pollution has emerged as a critical global health and environmental justice issue, with a stark contrast in exposure and management between high-, middle-, and low-income countries. This study synthesizes satellite-derived data with Global Burden of Disease insights, examining the spatiotemporal trends of PM_2.5 and O₃ exposures and their health impacts from 1998 to 2019. Despite a reversal in the global upward trend of PM_2.5 exposure post-2011, O₃ levels persist, highlighting a geographical disparity in health benefits due to air quality policies. The study reveals that while a reduction in indoor PM_2.5 pollution has led to significant health gains, the rise in outdoor PM_2.5 and O₃ pollution continues to escalate the global death toll. The research underscores the urgent need for tailored governance strategies to address the primary pollution conditions in various income-level regions, advocating for environmental justice and equality. The findings suggest that targeted air pollution management could not only mitigate the health risks but also enhance life expectancy, emphasizing the potential for substantial health benefits through improved air quality regulations.