Environmental influences on childhood asthma: Climate change

Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2023 May;34(5):e13961. doi: 10.1111/pai.13961.

Abstract

Climate change is a key environmental factor for allergic respiratory diseases, especially in childhood. This review describes the influences of climate change on childhood asthma considering the factors acting directly, indirectly and with their amplifying interactions. Recent findings on the direct effects of temperature and weather changes, as well as the influences of climate change on air pollution, allergens, biocontaminants and their interplays, are discussed herein. The review also focusses on the impact of climate change on biodiversity loss and on migration status as a model to study environmental effects on childhood asthma onset and progression. Adaptation and mitigation strategies are urgently needed to prevent further respiratory diseases and human health damage in general, especially in younger and future generations.

Keywords: air pollution; allergens; asthma; biocontaminants; children; climate change; environmental exposure; migration; mitigation; thunderstorm asthma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants* / adverse effects
  • Air Pollution*
  • Allergens
  • Asthma* / epidemiology
  • Asthma* / etiology
  • Climate Change
  • Humans
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Allergens