I. Introduction and Purpose
Diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes, is a disorder in which the body is incapable of fully utilizing converted energy taken from food. There are three types of diabetes: type 1 or insulin-dependent, type 2 or adult on-set, and gestational diabetes (Webmd.com, 2014).
According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2011 there were approximately 25.8 million cases of diabetes in the United States, 7 million of which were undiagnosed, and an estimated 79 million cases of prediabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2014). They also report that diagnosed cases of diabetes cost the United States nearly $250 billion in 2012 (American Diabetes Association, 2014). With such a high prevalence of cases as well as staggering associated costs, it is clear that research into diabetes risk factors and causes is warranted.
Diet and exercise have long been associated with diabetes risk, but recent studies are showing evidence that environmental factors, including air pollution, may play a role in the development of diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. A medical review published in 2012 notes that “there are now at least six published epidemiologic studies showing some degree of association between [particulate matter](PM) or traffic-related air pollutants and [diabetes mellitus](DM). At least two other studies have demonstrated a relationship between ambient levels of air pollutants and markers of insulin sensitivity in humans… Though not all findings from every study were positive, taken together, the majority of observations support an association between air pollution, in particular traffic-related sources, and DM” (Rajagopalan & Brook, 2012).
II. Methods
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...t cause insulin resistance in hyperlipidemic mice. Circulation Research, 104 (8), pp. 961--968.
Sun, Q., Yue, P., Deiuliis, J. A., Lumeng, C. N., Kampfrath, T., Mikolaj, M. B., Cai, Y., Ostrowski, M. C., Lu, B., Parthasarathy, S. & Others (2009). Ambient air pollution exaggerates adipose inflammation and insulin resistance in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Circulation, 119 (4), pp. 538--546.
Webmd.com. (2014). Diabetes Mellitus: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/types-of-diabetes-mellitus [Accessed: 15 Mar 2014].
Xu, X., Liu, C., Xu, Z., Tzan, K., Zhong, M., Wang, A., Lippmann, M., Chen, L., Rajagopalan, S. & Sun, Q. (2011). Long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate pollution induces insulin resistance and mitochondrial alteration in adipose tissue. Toxicological Sciences, 124 (1), pp. 88--98.
It is hard to deny that obesity is commonly attributed to the development of diseases such a...
Every year, one point five million Americans are diagnosed. Diabetes remains the seventh leading cause of death in the United States in 2015. 79,535 death certificates listed it as the underlying cause of death, and a total of 252,806 death certificates listed diabetes as an underlying or contributing cause of death in 2015. The total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2012 was two-hundred and forty-five billion (Statistics About
Diabetes is a disease in which a person’s body in unable to make or utilize insulin properly which affects blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas, which helps to regulate glucose (sugar) levels, break down carbohydrates and fats, and is essential to produce the body’s energy. The CDC (2013) offers reliable insight, summarized here, into the different types of diabetes, some causes, and health complications that may arise from the disease.
Jost, Kenneth. “Diabetes Epidemic: why is this serious disease on the increase?” The CQ Researcher (March 9, 2001): 185-200
First of all, diabetes also known as diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that a person gets from high blood glucose or when your bodies cells do not respond to insulin and in some cases both (Medical News Today). There are three types of diabetes type 1, type 2, and gestational. All cases of diabetes do not affect you the same and all have different syndromes that will affect your body differently. While men can get two of these cases of diabetes, women can get all three.
People who work or exercise outside for a lengthy period are also vulnerable. Exposure to air pollution increases sensitivity to allergens, impairs lungs, causes asthma attacks and death (Climate change, 2007). Air pollution can cause short-term respiratory symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath (California’s drought, 2015). The most harmful pollutants in the air are ozone, fine particles, and air toxics. Since the drought causes warmer weather, levels of ozone or smog increase in the air. Ozone is the principal component of smog and it is dangerous on ground level, which affects human health, crops, and buildings. Ozone smog is formed when vehicle and factory pollution react with sunlight and heat (Climate change, 2007). The lack of storms due to the drought eliminates the natural cleansing effect of precipitation. The low levels of precipitation trap fine particles on ground level. Fine particles in the air are harmful when inhaled and can heighten respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. Air toxics are the chemicals in the air that can cause cancer or serious health problems. Mercury, asbestos, and benzene are dangerous air toxics and diesel exhaust particulate is the number one airborne carcinogen in California (California’s drought, 2015). Allergens in the air also affect pollution as
Magliano, DJ, Shaw, JE, Shortreed, SM, Nusselder, WJ, Liew, D, Barr, EL, Zimmet, PZ & Peeters, A 2008, ‘Lifetime risk and projected population prevalence of diabetes’, Diabetologia, vol.51, pp.2179-2186, viewed 15th May 2011.
It contains harmful particles. If people breathe them into lungs, people will feel uncomfortable and even suffer from lungs disease leading to visit public hospitals and hence increase the government’s medical burden. A research by WHO (2016) estimates that there are nearly 70% outdoor air pollution-related premature deaths because of ischaemic heart disease and strokes, while nearly 14% outdoor air pollution-related premature deaths are due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or acute lower respiratory infection, and about 14% outdoor air pollution-related premature deaths are due to lung cancer. In the past few years, Hong Kong Air Quality Objective has been worse due to the increase of the level of respirable suspended particulates and nitrogen dioxide at the roadside (EPD, 2016). Kampa and Castanas (2008) illustrates that air pollutant causes increasing mortality and hospital admissions. Owing to poor air quality, people would feel hard to breathe and if they stay at the roadside for a long time, they may feel uncomfortable, even suffer from skin or respiratory irritation. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2013) reports that Hong Kong may be required to invest extra $3.8 billion annually in medical expenses and productivity due to air pollution in the future. Therefore, air pollution not only could harm human health but also increase the government’s medical
The reason obesity is so awful is because there are serious health risks associated with this problem (Grundy, et al. 1999; NIDDK, 2003; Veronelli, et al. 2004). Some of the major comorbities of obesity include coronary artery disease, diabete...
“Diabetes mellitus (sometimes called "sugar diabetes") is a condition that occurs when the body can't use glucose (a type of sugar) normally. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body's cells. The levels of glucose in the blood are controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is made by the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose enter the cells” (Diabetes Mellitus).
Zimmet, P., K.G. Alberti, and J. Shaw.2001. Global and societal implications of the diabetes epidemic. Nature 414 (December 13): 782-86
A strong dose-response relationship between particulate air pollution and adverse health effects in urban New Zealand has been reported in literature. The results of the study undertaken by Richardson, Pearce and Kingham (2011) indicate that modest reductions in PM10 are likely to have significant health benefits for the population, mainly reducing the incidence of respiratory disease mortality.
The rising prevalence of obesity is a major concern worldwide, both in high and low income countries. According to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) nearly two-thirds of the population worldwide live in a country where overweight and obesity causes more deaths than underweight (WHO, 2009). The risk of a number of chronic non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, increases with increasing body mass index. According to the WHO (2009) “44% of diabetes burden, 23% of ischaemic heart disease burden and 7-41% of certain cancer burdens are attributable to overweight and obesity” (p.18). Although the causes of obesity are complex, there is much evidence that over-consumption of energy-dense
In recent years, Asian air population has been considered a threat to health and the environment. According to research, World Health Organizations reported that Asian air pollution, “is responsible for an estimated 537,000 premature deaths annually with indoor air pollution being responsible for over double this number of deaths” (Schwela). These statistics have raised concern for civilians and surrounding countries as they look at the damage to society the pollution causes. On June 21, 2013, South East Asia experienced an immense amount of air pollution. This event was named the Haze Crisis, where it reached a record of 401, being the largest amount of hazardous pollution ever recorded (Ho et al.). The levels reached during this crisis called for civilians to stay inside where they were advised to wear masks both indoors and outdoors. There is a growing need for intervention as researchers look to identify the most effective measures to protect human health and the environment. To identify the most effective measures, scientists look at the causation of the pollution. Although there is no direct single cause for the air pollution, all factors combined contribute to this issue. Asian air pollution threatens the environment and public health; it is a direct result of industrial pollution, biomass pollution, and forest fire pollution.
In conclusion, air pollution affects the immune system, making it weak and vulnerable to certain bacteria, illnesses, viruses and foreign invaders. Common diseases that are affected the most include asthma and allergies. Air pollution in general has been seen to modify the immune system's handling of particular allergens. The exposure to toxins like dioxin can cause serious health problems for people. Having long-term exposure to this toxin is connected to weakening of the immune system, as well as the nervous system, endocrine system and certain reproductive functions. Hence, everyone has a particular level and exposure of dioxins in the body. Improving air quality is the key answer to avoiding any type of development of disease, but it is a long term goal that will require the help and commitment at the national and global level.