A comprehensive modelling study published in The Lancet Planetary Health has quantified the devastating public health consequences of land use changes across Southeast Asia. The research reveals that deforestation and forest degradation are driving widespread air quality deterioration, resulting in approximately 13,000 excess deaths annually from air pollution exposure.
Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand bear the heaviest burden, accounting for 11,200 of these preventable deaths combined. The study’s findings underscore the interconnection between environmental degradation and human health, with forest conversion to agricultural and urban land serving as the primary mechanism for increased atmospheric pollutant concentrations.
Experts emphasize that strategic land management policies represent a critical intervention opportunity, capable of preventing thousands of deaths while simultaneously supporting sustainable economic development in the region. This research reinforces the urgent need for coordinated environmental action across Southeast Asia.
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