25 years old or older million People in the United States have asthma and more It is widespreadAs climate change contributes to the speed of climbing allergies. However, there are specific stages that can be taken to improve the lives of those affected by the US health care system.
Half almost 90%of asthma children have allergic asthma. Pollen, dust mites, or pet danders inhale and induce, allergic asthma low It causes respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pressure, hives and nose irritation.
The effect of asthma on the quality of life of a person is important. Asthma is one of the biggest reasons why children miss school. The children missed in 2013 Almost 14 million With asthma alone. (More recent statistics cannot be used) and A fifth The workplace exposure to adults with asthma worsens symptoms and has a negative effect on productivity. Along with related medical expenses, these losses make the most asthma. Expensive American disease.
Many asthma cases cannot be prevented, but notable increases allergy Asthma speed can be caused by climate change.
First, global warming -due to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused by humans activity -It affects the period and intensity of the allergic season.
Warm temperature Disrupt Trees that release more potIt is released earlier than usual. Consider January instead of March. Currently in North America Almost 20% More pollen than 1990. We also feel a more historically cooler environment like Norway and Canada. Now the warmer temperature is Support More pollen production plants.
Second, global warming is more frequent and causes extreme weather events WorseAir quality. For example, forest fires and floods often cause asthma attacks because electricity is released. Contaminants With the air and the latter Public relations Indoor mold growth. Even thunderstorm It works: heavy rains and strong winds break down into small pieces of pollen grain. Farther distance.
The worse is the historically marginalized individual is hit The hardest By climate change. According to the data, the population is 52% more likely to live in an area where asthma -related emergency rooms may be high. The higher the asthma ratio is common in low -income families, and black children seven A time when it is likely to die with asthma rather than a non -Hispanic colleague.
It’s difficult, but there is a way to reduce the effect of climate change on allergic asthma.
First of all, the provider can consider conversion Inhaler is prescribed by selecting a dried powder inhaler instead of a meter capacity inhaler. Me weighing capacity inhalation rarely explains 90% Prescribed in the US 144 million Annual patient. But for all purposes, they add greenhouse gases. strong It produces the same emissions as all houses of Wisconsin Milwaukee rather than carbon dioxide (the most important contributor to the greenhouse effect).
Hospitals can also make environmentally friendly changes. After all, they are major greenhouse gases Emitter. American medical system 8.5% Regardless of the industry, carbon emissions in all countries and 25% world Discharge of health care. One solution is to improve the energy efficiency of the building and replace the fuel electric vehicle with electricity. It is also recommended to reduce a single plastics by switching to reusable separation gowns, surgical supplies, linen and other products.
However, other sectors also play a big role in playing and a wider scale Climate change reform The federal government may have a wave effect.
For example, federal policy You can limit how much Americans use fossil fuels. Policy dramators can require large corporations to reduce emissions by 2050 and to implement carbon neutral goals (the year of incomprehensible damage caused by climate change). You can do more work at the state and regional levels to create renewable energy sources such as sun, wind and hydropower and prioritize them.
Asthma does not completely disappear, but if global warming can reduce the proportion of allergic asthma. The health care system and policymakers are still available, but they must cooperate to protect the respiratory health.
