Ep. 74: Environmental Impact of Climate Change for People with Asthma and Allergies
Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network. We thank Chiesi for sponsoring this podcast.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 74:
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As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable, the effects of climate change on respiratory health become even more noticeable.
Dr. Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, an expert in respiratory health, joins Dr. G and Kortney to discuss how climate change exacerbates respiratory conditions like asthma, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.
The episode explores why we should consider the connection between climate change and asthma. Understanding the mechanisms behind it is crucial. Dr. Lovinsky-Desir explains how increased temperatures lead to higher levels of air pollution and create “heat islands" in urban areas. Heat islands are urban areas that are significantly warmer than their surrounding rural areas due to human activities. These islands intensify health risks by trapping heat and pollutants, worsening air quality and increasing respiratory distress.
Dr. Lovinsky-Desir and Dr. G share practical measures that are easy to implement and can significantly help us navigate poor air quality. These include wearing masks during high pollution and monitoring air quality through initiatives like the State of the Air Report or your weather app. She also highlights the role of organizations like the American Lung Association in providing resources and support for improving indoor air quality.
We hope this episode helps you better understand climate change's impact on air quality, the environment, and lung health. Hopefully, you can take meaningful steps towards a healthier future for all. If you are in doubt about the impacts of climate change, this episode is for you!
What we cover in our about climate change, air pollution and lung health:
The relationship between air pollution, air quality and climate change
The impact of climate change on season allergies
The effect of air quality on lung health
The populations most impacted by poor air quality
Poor housing and its effects on lung health
Programs and resources help make housing healthier
What you can do to keep your lungs safe
How to explain to someone why they need to care about climate change and asthma
Resources about air quality and asthma:
More about our sponsor, Chiesi: https://www.chiesiusa.com/
Pollen Report from Allergy Asthma Network: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/weather/
State of the Air Report from The Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/research/sota
Tips to Manage Asthma and Allergies Caused by Climate Change: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/climate-change-what-you-can/
Lifestyle Changes to Manage Asthma: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/what-is-asthma/lifestyle-changes-to-manage-asthma/
About our guest: Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, MD
Dr. Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir is an Associate Professor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She specializes in pediatric pulmonary health and childhood asthma in urban communities. With extensive training from institutions like the Children’s Hospital of Montefiore, she leads research funded by organizations like the NIH and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to improve respiratory health in children. Dr. Lovinsky-Desir's work, recognized internationally, encompasses publishing, presenting, and collaborating across disciplines, earning her awards from prestigious medical societies.
Why you should care about climate change, poor air quality and lung health
The health effects of climate change and air pollution represent a critical global issue. With an estimated 262 million people worldwide, including over 25 million in the U.S., living with asthma, the impact of air pollutants on respiratory health cannot be overstated. Air pollutants, such as particulate matter and ground-level ozone, can trigger or exacerbate asthma and other respiratory diseases, posing significant risks to public health. Long-term exposure to air pollution can also lead to chronic respiratory conditions and even premature death.
A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that air pollution claims the lives of 7 million people annually. In the USA, 11 people a day die from asthma!
Shockingly, more than 90% of children under 15 breathe air that is so polluted that it jeopardizes their health and development.
We thank Chiesi for sponsoring this podcast.
Time Stamps
Ep. 74 Environmental Impact of Climate Change for People with Asthma and Allergies
00:42 - Introduction to Dr. Lovinsky-Desir
02:00 - Understanding the interplay between air pollution, air quality, and climate change
03:38 - Seasonal allergies becoming longer
04:29 - Exploring the impact of air quality on lung health
06:42 - Identifying the communities most affected by poor air quality
10:28 - Investigating the influence of heat on air quality, including "heat islands"
11:42 - Examining the role of housing conditions in respiratory health
15:22 - Analyzing the effect of climate change on allergic rhinitis
15:48 - Initiatives and resources for promoting healthier housing
17:32 - Resources from the American Lung Association
18:17 - Strategies for improving your environment to manage asthma
20:42 - Utilizing masks to mitigate the effects of poor air quality
21:57 - Insights from the State of the Air Report
23:42 - Practical steps to protect your lung health
24:42 - Communicating the importance of addressing climate change and asthma
