Environmental pollution, adverse climate change, loss of biodiversity and natural habitat, which affect the planet Earth health, are now recognized as risk factors for major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental disorders (MDs) in the population.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review is to present published data on the relationship between the Planet Earth health and the major NCDs and MDs in the population, pathogenetic mechanisms underlying this relationship and potential solutions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The review included analytical articles, recommendations from medical societies and decision-makers available in the open-access electronic database of the National Institutes of Health’ National Library of Medicine. Search query was carried out through PubMed on the «Health of the Earth planet and Non-communicable Diseases» platform, using keywords relevant to the review topic.
RESULTS
Published studies have shown that changes in the health of the planet Earth such as air, soil and water pollution, extremely high and low ambient temperatures, biodiversity loss lead to the development, exacerbation and death of the population from the major NCDs, such as diseases of the circulatory system (DCS), diseases of the respiratory system (DRS), and MDs. Negative changes in planetary Earth health are realized through the oxidative stress and toxic effects on the human vascular endothelium, causing systemic vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which are the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the development and progression of the corresponding diseases and comorbid pathologies.
CONCLUSION
To achieve the highest level of human health and well-being, it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to the planet Earth health: soil, water, air, flora and fauna at all government, research and education levels of societies. Medical professional societies and physicians play an important role in informing the public about environmental risk factors that influence the development, exacerbation of the relevant diseases and comorbid pathology, as well as opportunities for their prevention, progression and control.
