Sex disparities in the burden of air particulate matter-related unhealthy years and life-years lost in Asia-Pacific countries, 1990–2019

Air quality, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC), significantly impacts human health and mortality. This study aims to quantify and compare the effects of ambient particulate matter (APM) and household air pollution (HAP) from solid fuels on unhealthy years and life-years lost in APAC from 1990 to 2019. It also examines factors influencing unhealthy years among females due to HAP. Our findings show that females were more vulnerable to HAP, whereas males were at a higher mortality risk from APM. Pacific islands encountered the greatest burden from HAP, while West Asia was most affected by APM. Over the studied period, the impact of APM on unhealthy years and life-years lost increased, primarily affecting the elderly and adults more than children and youth. Conversely, health impacts from HAP declined across all age groups in the Pacific Islands, though less so compared to other subregions. Key predictors of female unhealthy years from HAP included pollution, demographics, and women's empowerment, with no significant economic influences. Understanding these impacts, along with age and gender differences, is crucial for developing targeted environmental health policies and interventions. • Sex disparities in health from HAP and APM were present in all APAC countries. • HAP harms more women, but men have higher mortality from APM. • Pacific islands and West Asia most affected by HAP and APM, respectively. • Pollution, demographic, and female empowerment associated with female health.