Air pollution is a significant global health issue, causing 4.2 million deaths in 2019, with over 70% of those deaths attributed to cardiovascular diseases.

In 2018, there were only about 2,000 cardiologists for Africa's population of 1.2 billion, highlighting a shortage of specialists to manage cardiovascular diseases.

The majority of existing studies focus on urban populations in South Africa, making it difficult to assess the broader health effects of air pollution in Africa.

Despite clear evidence linking air pollution to cardiovascular health issues globally, research in Africa is limited, with only 24 of 54 countries measuring air quality.

To address the health crisis, it is essential to expand air quality monitoring, gather data from diverse regions, and educate the public on lifestyle risks and pollution effects on health.

Cardiovascular diseases have become the second leading cause of death in Africa, with deaths sharply rising in urban areas.

From 1990 to 2019, cardiovascular disease-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 650,000 to 1.2 million, reflecting a troubling trend in health outcomes.

Only six academic studies have explored the relationship between air pollution and cardiovascular diseases in Africa, primarily focusing on urban areas in South Africa.

There is a critical need for expanded air quality monitoring across Africa to better understand the link between air pollution and cardiovascular health, particularly in both urban and rural areas.

Air pollution levels in Africa are significantly higher than in high-income regions, averaging three times greater than in Europe.

Common sources of air pollution in Africa include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, agricultural waste burning, and the use of solid fuels like wood and charcoal for cooking.

The increase in cardiovascular deaths is linked to lifestyle changes, urbanization, and an aging population, alongside a critical shortage of cardiovascular specialists in the region.