The following is a summary of “Factors by which global warming worsens allergic disease,” published in the December 2023 issue of Allergy & Immunology by Seastedt, et al.
Using more fossil fuels has caused global warming, making unusual weather events like wildfires and sand and dust storms worse and happening more often. These changes have caused more air pollution, like particulate matter and carbon gases, to get into the air. Pollen seasons are getting longer, and there is more pollen because of global warming. Particulate matter, warming gases, and pollen all work together to make allergic illnesses more common and worse.
The number of cases and intensity of allergy diseases are also affected by things that happen indirectly, like water pollution, human movement, deforestation, loss of green space, and a decrease in biodiversity (including microbe variety). In the next few decades, global warming and extreme weather events will likely worsen. At the same time, the number of people with allergic diseases is also likely to rise, which will make the already heavy medical load of these diseases even worse.
To improve people’s health, they need to stop and adjust to the effects of climate change right away. The health of people and the world’s health are linked, and the idea of “One Health,” a unified way to balance and improve the health of people, animals, and the environment, needs to be stressed. Clinicians are respected members of the community and need to take the lead in teaching their patients about climate change and how it hurts people’s health. They should also push for policy changes that reduce fossil fuel use and boost wildlife and open space for a better and more sustainable future.
Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S108112062301219X