Effect of PM2.5 air pollution on the global burden of neonatal diarrhea from 1990 to 2019

The primary risk factor for global disease burden is prolonged exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution, which results in health problems and death. However, the global burden of diarrheal diseases attributable to PM2.5 remains unclear. Here, we offer a thorough evaluation of the burden of neonatal diarrheal illnesses caused by PM2.5 at the national, regional, and worldwide levels from 1990 to 2019. Information on disease burden related to PM2.5 was extracted from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. The number and rates of mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and the corresponding average annual percentage change (AAPC) were estimated according to disease, age, sex, sociodemographic index and location. In newborns, diarrhea caused by PM2.5 was a common cause of death (10,386 fatalities, 95% uncertainty interval [UI] 8,295-13,008). Between 1990 and 2019, the estimated number of fatalities from diarrhea declined by 5.13% (95% UI 5.07-5.18). Diarrhea was also a leading cause of DALYs (929,000 DALYs, 743,000 to 1,161,000), with a decline of 5.11% (95% UI 5.06-5.16). Between 1990 and 2019, the burden of diarrheal illnesses linked to PM2.5 has declined, with a greater decline in household PM2.5 than in ambient PM2.5. In contrast to the global trend of declining diarrheal burden caused by household PM2.5, the burden of diarrheal illnesses caused by ambient PM2.5 increased in approximately one-fifth of the nations. The burden is asymmetrically distributed in less-developed countries. In conclusion, PM2.5-attributable diarrheal diseases continue to threaten public health. More effective strategies should be developed considering regional conditions worldwide to lower PM2.5-related burdens. This study includes evidence-based recommendations for reducing PM2.5 air pollution and preventing diarrheal illnesses.