Air pollution and its impact on maternal and child health in Central Asia

Abstract

Air pollution is one of the most urgent environmental problems of our time. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), almost 99% of people on Earth breathe air that exceeds the recommended safety levels. This problem is especially severe in developing regions, including Central Asia, where industrial activities, urban growth, coal-based heating, and natural dust storms significantly reduce air quality. I believe that air pollution is not just an environmental issue but also a social and health problem that affects the most vulnerable groups — pregnant women and children. Protecting them should become a national priority for every Central Asian country.