CDC experts issue climate change information, resources for allergists, immunologists

As climate change impacts patients with allergies and asthma, experts from the CDC offered recommendations and resources for allergists and immunologists to improve care in a report published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Impact of climate change

Elizabeth Gillespie, MD, FACP, of the CDC’s Climate and Health Program, and colleagues enumerated the allergic and immunologic conditions that climate change affects.

Increases in the number of frost-free days and seasonal air temperatures can influence the onset and duration of allergy seasons for people with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis who are sensitized to pollens, outdoor molds and other seasonal allergens.

Increases in floods, hurricanes and other events with heavy precipitation can contribute to more indoor mold growth, which exacerbates respiratory and other symptoms for people with asthma and mold allergies.

Ground-level ozone, particulate matter and extreme summer heat can worsen asthma symptoms. Also, droughts can increase the risk for wildfires, leading to increased respiratory symptoms for people with asthma due to smoke.

These wildfires and other disasters such as floods also complicate the management of allergies and asthma, impacting access to medications and medical services. Electricity failures make the refrigeration of perishable, allergen-free foods challenging as well.

The CDC advises patients to include asthma, food allergy and anaphylaxis care plans as part of their emergency action plans to help them stay healthy during these emergencies.

How allergists can help

The report authors, meanwhile, provided examples of how allergists and immunologists can help patients specifically with pollen allergies, mold allergies, asthma and any allergic condition, including advice on communication, education and sources of information.

For example, providers are advised to encourage patients with pollen allergy to learn more about pollen and health via supplied resources, check pollen forecasts and spend less time outdoors when pollen levels are high.

The recommendation also outlines specific actions and informational resources for patients with allergies or asthma who live in areas subject to extreme heat, severe flooding and wildfires, including strategies for avoiding heat, mold remediation resources and websites that track disasters.

Listed resources include a range of CDC websites that address pollen, mold, participle pollution, ozone, heat and health, temperature extremes, asthma care, wildfire smoke, disaster preparation and other effects of climate on health.

Additionally, the CDC spotlighted its Climate and Health Program, which conducts epidemiologic studies and supports state, tribal, local and territorial public health agencies in implementing the Building Resilience Against Climate Effects framework.

Next, the authors wrote the CDC plans to implement and evaluate a strategy that focuses on climate and health data, science and action with wide applications including allergy and immunology care.

With a focus on health equity and environmental justice, the strategy’s goals include increasing the understanding of the impacts of climate change and the effectiveness of adaptation strategies; supporting locally led responses; and using data to inform, track and evaluate these actions.