Burden and risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Sub-Saharan African countries, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of disease study 2019

Alemayohu, M.A.; Zanolin, M.E.; Cazzoletti, L.; et al. eClinicalMedicine (2023) CC2
The article analyzes the prevalence and risk factors of chronic respiratory diseases, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights that environmental exposures, such as biomass fuel usage and air pollution, significantly contribute to respiratory health issues in the region. The research underlines the limited healthcare infrastructure, insufficient diagnostic tools, and the need for comprehensive data collection to better understand the burden of respiratory diseases. The authors advocate for targeted public health interventions, improved access to healthcare, and policies aimed at reducing exposure to risk factors to mitigate the prevalence of respiratory conditions.