Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy is not only good for the health of our planet, it can also impact human health, as pollution is linked to cardiovascular disease, according to an article published Nov. 11 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Cardiovascular disease includes heart disease, which is the top cause of death in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Environmental pollution is a cardiovascular risk factor. The Global Burden of Disease study estimated that pollution caused 9 million deaths in 2019, of which more than 60% were due to cardiovascular disease. Transitioning to renewable energy sources may reduce such deaths,” the article said.
“Only through a multipronged strategy that combines pollution prevention with control of individual risk factors can the global epidemic of cardiovascular disease be contained.”
