A new study published in Nature Food by researchers at Peking University (PKU) and collaborators has shown that agriculture emissions pose health risks to local populations, with low-income groups being the hardest hit. The study highlights significant health risks and inequalities within global food systems, emphasizing the need for integrated interventions that address both production and consumption processes to effectively reduce health risks and disparities.
The research utilized high-resolution emission inventories of ammonia and other pollutants, provincial-scale input-output models, and CMAQ concomitant models to assess health risks associated with agriculture emissions. The findings underscore the importance of developing strategies to improve the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, as they are disproportionately affected by these emissions.
The study is crucial for addressing disparities targeted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for all people. By identifying the disproportionate effects on low-income populations, this research provides a critical step forward in understanding and mitigating the health impacts of food systems on different income groups globally.
