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European particulate air pollution death rate in 2019 lowest in 30 years

Duration: 0:11:17

A report released on November 15th, 2021, by the European Environment Agency revealed that air pollution caused more than 300,000 premature deaths in the 27 EU countries in 2019, the lowest number in 30 years. The report highlights that the number of deaths could be halved if EU countries comply with the World Health Organization's air quality standards. The reduction in deaths is attributed to better air quality resulting from government measures and improved weather conditions. Ozone, a gas that can protect human health by blocking ultraviolet radiation, but can also be harmful to health, contributed to a 10% decrease in death rates in the EU. However, many EU countries still have air pollution that exceeds the EU and WHO standards. The report also highlights that air pollution is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, followed by lung disease, and can also hinder children's lung development, exacerbate respiratory infections, and trigger asthma.

Language: Chinese
Topics: EnvironmentWorld Health Organization

Do vaccines cause thrombosis and heart attacks?

Duration: 0:10:00.241632

In this episode, Letícia Sarturi, a scientist with a master's in immunology and a PhD in pathophysiology, addresses the concerns surrounding the association between COVID-19 vaccines and cardiovascular issues such as thrombosis and heart attacks. She highlights that misconceptions and misinformation abound regarding the safety of these vaccines, emphasizing that they save millions of lives worldwide. Letícia references a significant study conducted with nearly 46 million adults in England, published in Nature Communications. This research examined the rates of thrombotic and cardiovascular events following COVID-19 vaccinations, specifically AstraZeneca and Moderna. Surprisingly, the study found that vaccination significantly reduced cardiovascular events. As vaccination rates increased, the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolisms, and deep vein thrombosis decreased. Vaccines were shown to provide a net cardiovascular benefit by protecting against severe cases of COVID-19, which inherently carry a high risk of thrombotic and cardiovascular complications. The protective effects of vaccination were notably stronger after the second dose and booster shots. This reinforces the importance of keeping vaccinations up-to-date. Despite these findings, vaccine uptake has declined since 2022, particularly with the emergence of the Omicron variant and updated booster shots. There are growing concerns from the World Health Organization regarding the low demand for these updated vaccines and the potential risk of a more aggressive variant emerging. Letícia urges the public to stay vigilant about their vaccinations to maintain community protection against COVID-19.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: COVID-19 Vaccines and Cardiovascular Health: Debunking Myths

Pandemics or pandemoniums?

Duration: 0:11:05.077551

In August 2024, the Brazilian Ministry of Health declared the monkeypox outbreak as an international public health emergency. Monkeypox, previously known for its endemic presence in Central and West Africa, began spreading globally, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify it as an emergency in July 2022. As of 2024, Brazil has reported over 7,200 cases of Oropouche fever, a disease that had previously been contained to the Amazon region but has now reached 21 states, with two fatalities confirmed in Bahia. These were the first deaths from Oropouche fever recorded globally. Leticia, a scientist with expertise in immunology and biophysics, discusses the infectious diseases causing concern, highlighting monkeypox and Oropouche fever. Although Brazil has confirmed more than 7,000 monkeypox cases in 2024, it has seen no deaths from this disease, and health authorities indicate that it is well-controlled compared to a surge of cases in 2022. Monkeypox is caused by a virus related to smallpox, primarily transmitted through direct contact with lesions, contaminated materials, and respiratory droplets during prolonged interactions. Symptoms include severe headache, muscle aches, fever, and skin rashes, often starting on the face and spreading over the body. While most monkeypox cases are self-limiting, serious complications can arise, especially in immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. The Brazilian health authorities have not recommended mass vaccination against monkeypox but have secured 25,000 doses of a vaccine for at-risk groups. Oropouche fever, caused by an arbovirus, has symptoms similar to dengue and can spread via insect bites. As the incidence of Oropouche fever rises, the potential links to climate change and environmental degradation are noted, emphasizing the need for attention and prevention measures against both diseases.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: Monkeypox and Oropouche Fever: Brazil's Public Health ChallengesInfectious Diseases in Brazil