Estimated mortality and burden of disease related to air pollution in Albania during 1990-2021
We aimed at assessing mortality and disease burden attributable to air pollution in Albania. This analysis was based on the mortality and morbidity estimates for Albania supplied by the Global Burden of Disease 1990 and 2021 studies, reported by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. In Albania, during 1990-2021, the decline in mortality rate and promotional mortality due to air pollution was among the steepest in the Southeastern European region. The (age-standardized) proportional mortality due to air pollution in Albania in 1990 (≈25%) was considerably higher than in Central Europe (17%), in Eastern Europe (15%), and especially in the Western European region (9%). Nonetheless, in 2021, this difference was substantially reduced: 9% (Albania), 6% (Central Europe), 5% (Eastern Europe), and 3% (Western Europe). Seemingly, interventions targeting household air pollution have been effective in Albania. Future efforts, however, should focus on controlling outdoor air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), to prevent an increase in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Hence, continued focus on reducing ambient particulate matter pollution in Albania is needed to further align with the European Union standards.