Latest news with #SanjayRajagopalan
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Common Household Items Linked to Thousands of Deaths From Heart Disease
A growing body of research suggests that plastics (such as the takeout container kind) and chemicals used to create them, called phthalates, increase heart disease risk by causing inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. A new study adds more data to the pile with global estimations of phthalate-related cardiovascular deaths that occurred over one year, and the numbers are jarring. Meet the Experts: Sanjay Rajagopalan, M.D., the director of Case Western Reserve University's Cardiovascular Research Institute; and Marianela Areces, M.D., medical director and cardiologist at Pritikin Longevity Center. Below, experts break down what the research means, exactly, how concerned you should be about your personal plastic use, and how to protect your heart health in general. Researchers found that, in 2018 alone, an estimated 356,238 deaths, globally, could be attributed to exposure to di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), a specific phthalate used to make plastics more flexible and durable. That number represented approximately 13.5% of all cardiovascular-related deaths of people between the ages of 55 and 64 that year. The study noted geographic disparities among potential plastic-related deaths: Regions with booming plastic industries saw a dramatic impact. For example, South Asia and the Middle East experienced the highest percentage of cardiovascular-related deaths attributable to DEHP exposure at nearly 17%. Those areas, combined with East Asia and the Pacific, hosted the largest percentage of global DEHP-attributed deaths at around 73%. Altogether, researchers estimated that DEHP exposure collectively shortened life by roughly 10.4 million years worldwide. To arrive at all of those numbers, scientists took data from a past large U.S.-based study that measured DEHP and other phthalate levels of participants' urine and compared it to global mortality rates and environmental data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a research group that collects medical information worldwide to identify trends in public health. 'These are only broad associations and do not definitively implicate DEHP,' notes Sanjay Rajagopalan, M.D., the director of Case Western Reserve University's Cardiovascular Research Institute. 'It could also mean that there are other chemicals that could drive this risk.' DEHP and other phthalates are used to make various products like food containers, medical equipment, and household items, says Dr. Rajagopalan. He adds that DEHP is also found in vinyl flooring, shower curtains, children's toys, and food processing and storage materials like cling wrap. It has been shown that phthalates can infiltrate the arteries of humans and contribute to heart disease, Dr. Rajagopalan says. Marianela Areces, M.D., medical director and cardiologist at Pritikin Longevity Center adds that all phthalates, and especially DEHP, 'are environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals,' meaning that they may interfere with hormone function and raise risk for conditions like obesity and diabetes, both of which are also risk factors for heart disease. The core detriment here is believed to be that phthalates are inflammatory, which may inhibit bodily processes and make oxidative stress and cell damage more likely. Phthalates have also been linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular arrhythmias, Dr. Areces adds. In short, experts say, yes. However, there's only so much we can do because phthalates are, unfortunately, ubiquitous at this point. You can reduce exposure, though, with 'conscious effort and lifestyle changes,' says Dr. Areces. Those might include: Avoid plastic products: Opt for glass, stainless steel, or silicone alternatives for food storage and household items. Check labels: Look for products labeled 'phthalate-free,' especially in personal care items, toys, and food packaging. Limit processed foods: Phthalates can leach into food from packaging, says Dr. Areces. Choose fresh, whole foods and avoid heavily processed or packaged items. Avoid heating plastics: 'Do not microwave food in plastic containers, as heat can increase the release of phthalates into food,' says Dr. Areces. Improve ventilation: Phthalates can be present in indoor air and dust. Regularly ventilate your home and clean with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Advocate for regulation: 'Support policies and initiatives aimed at reducing phthalate use in consumer products and improving waste management,' Dr. Areces recommends. In addition to being aware of your plastic use, Drs. Areces and Rajagopalan say you can protect your heart health by making generally healthy lifestyle choices like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco and alcohol use, prioritizing sleep and mental health, and getting regular check-ups. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
The unseen health impact of climate on India's superpower aspirations
Sanjay Rajagopalan, MD, MBA, is a US-based physician-scientist who has been engaged in research on the health impacts of pollution and climate change for over two decades. He is also actively involved in health policy related to environmental pollution and has a recent track record of publications in both environmental health and climate change. Dr Arnab Ghosh, a health economist from Cornell University, is an expert in climate change and its intersection with health and economic policy. LESS ... MORE As India positions itself as a global superpower, it must address a critical blind spot: the health impacts of climate change and their far-reaching economic consequences. Current assessments of India's economic trajectory often focus on infrastructure, innovation, and geopolitical strategy, while overlooking the growing burden of climate-related health outcomes on India's greatest asset: its human capital. This obvious omission underestimates the financial impact of the direct and indirect health-related effects of climate change and threatens India's legitimate progression to superpower status. India faces a unique confluence of climate health vulnerabilities: rapid urbanization, high population density, significant climate variability and vulnerable urban provisioning systems. These factors may exponentially increase climate-related health impacts, such as pollution-related chronic diseases, heat stress, vector-borne illnesses, and waterborne infections. The financial toll of these health impact is far from trivial. According to one estimate from the Lancet Countdown 2022, India lost an estimated 160 billion hours of labor due to heat exposure in 2021, translating to a productivity loss of approximately 5.4% of GDP. The economic impact of health-related effects of air pollution alone are staggering. A study published in Nature Communications (2022) estimated that air pollution contributes to 1.67 million deaths annually in India and costs the economy $36 billion in healthcare expenses and lost labor. Yet, these figures likely underestimates the overall impact now and into the future as environmental health impacts cascade through the economy, reducing workforce efficiency, increasing public health expenditures, and impacting the health and well-being of younger, economically productive people. Rising temperatures and heatwaves directly affect outdoor labor, particularly in agriculture and construction, which together employ over 50% of India's workforce. Projections from the International Labor Organization (ILO) suggest that India could lose up to 34 million full-time jobs annually by 2030 due to heat stress. The World Bank's 2023 report, Striking Balance, highlighted that pollution costs India 2% of GDP annually in health-related productivity losses. Increasingly frequent extreme weather events such as floods, exacerbate waterborne diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid as well as disrupting access to health care for many with acute health conditions. The Global Burden of Disease Study estimated that waterborne diseases cost India approximately $600 million annually in lost productivity and treatment costs. Managing vector-borne diseases costs the healthcare system over $1 billion annually, a figure expected to rise with climate change according to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Housing displacement due to climate events, and associated social stressors compound mental health challenges. The indirect costs of untreated mental health conditions, including reduced productivity and higher care burdens, are estimated to exceed $90 billion annually, according to a recent report from the National Mental Health Survey (2022). These health challenges are compounded by the broader economic impacts of climate volatility. During the recent COP29 summit, India's delegation highlighted the inadequacy of global climate funding, emphasizing the combustible mix of demographic vulnerability and environmental stress facing the nation. While India is projected to remain the world's fastest-growing large economy, with the World Bank increasing its growth forecast to 7% for the fiscal year, these projections often fail to account for climate-related disruptions. Several leading Indian companies have already begun to account for climate related financial impacts. Zomato attributed lower than expected Q1 earnings to heat stress, while Larsen & Toubro adjusted working hours, to cope with extreme temperatures. These shifts are a harbinger of broader corporate shifts in incorporating climate related cost, into the operational costs of doing business – all linked to the expected climate-related impacts on health. The Asian Development Bank warned in October 2023 that climate change could reduce India's GDP by as much as 25% by 2070. This projection is grounded in the reality that a third of India's GDP is linked to nature-related sectors, including agriculture and water resources. Droughts and profound shifts in soil microbial and nutritional content are increasingly threatening crop yields; while extreme water table depletion are leading to water scarcity in many cities. A massive increase in electricity demand owing to a burgeoning middles class utilizing air conditioners are also straining the electricity grid, creating a cascading effect on power outages, extreme heat islands in India's cities and compounding diminished industrial and household productivity. Accurate assessment of climate-related health impacts and their incorporation into the economic analysis must be integral to planning. Policymakers need robust frameworks to quantify direct and indirect health costs and incorporate them into macro- and microeconomic estimates, particularly over 20 to 30-year time horizons. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare should collaborate with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to quantify and address climate-related health impacts. Infrastructure investments should prioritize climate resilience and adaptation measures, including climate-resilient housing, urban cooling solutions, and healthcare systems equipped to manage climate emergencies. Leveraging private sector innovation for health interventions and mitigation strategies can accelerate progress while reducing public financial burdens. India should lead efforts to integrate climate-health considerations into international climate agreements, such as the G20's global sustainability initiatives. India's pathway to superpower status is inextricably linked to the health and well-being of its population. By not addressing the economic impact of climate-related health impacts, the country risks undermining its economic growth and global competitiveness. A healthy population is the foundation of a resilient economy and acknowledging this reality will ensure that India's superpower aspirations are fulfilled. REFERENCES 1. Watts N, et al. "The 2022 Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change." The Lancet, 2022. 2. Chakraborty T, et al. "India's Burden of Climate Change: Labor Loss and Economic Productivity." Nature Communications, 2022. 3. World Bank. "Striking Balance: Air Pollution in India." 2023. 4. Global Burden of Disease Study (India-Specific Estimates), 2022. 5. ICMR. "Climate Change and Vector-Borne Diseases in India," 2023. 6. National Mental Health Survey. "Economic Costs of Mental Health in India," 2022. 7. Financial Times Editorial. "The Overlooked Role of Climate in India's Economic Growth," November 2023. 8. Asian Development Bank. "Climate Change and its Economic Impacts in South Asia," 2023. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
