Publications
Page: Air Pollution
Climate change as a risk to respiratory health
Changes in climate constitute a reality that, according to recent projections, is going to worsen in the coming years. Increasing air pollution and climate change have an impact on respiratory health and mortality where climate change represents a massive direct threat to respiratory health by promoting or aggravating respiratory diseases or indirectly by increasing exposure to risk factors for respiratory diseases.
Climate change and respiratory health: Bridging gaps for a healthier future
The International Day for Clean Blue Skies emphasizes the critical importance of clean air and its impact on health and the environment. This day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to reduce air pollution, which is a major contributor to multiple health conditions. Healthcare professionals can help mitigate the adverse health effects of air pollution and support our global collective efforts to help the environment. Participants will learn about the latest research on the impact of air quality on respiratory health, explore the innovative #Care4EveryBreath programme, and discover actionable strategies for pharmacists to support climate change efforts. Join us to understand how healthcare professionals can lead the way in promoting a healthier, sustainable future.
The impact of air pollution on respiratory health and vulnerability to COVID-19. What can community pharmacists do to help?
Moderator: Lars-Åke Söderlund
Panellists: Glenis Kathleen Scadding, Gonçalo Sousa Pinto, Sundeep Santosh Salvi.
Air pollution is the leading environmental determinant of health and is responsible for at least 7 million deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization. The vast majority of these deaths result from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Common sources of air pollution include household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and forest fires, which release harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide.
With 99% of the world’s population breathing air that exceeds safe levels of pollution, this environmental threat poses a risk to everyone, with vulnerable groups—such as children, older adults, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions, and those in low-income communities—being disproportionately affected, especially those living or working in highly polluted areas. Pharmacists play a vital role in mitigating these health impacts through patient education, disease prevention, and advocacy for cleaner environments, helping to reduce exposure risks and supporting public health efforts to address this global challenge.
Indoor air pollution and health: causes, management and self-care approaches
Overall Aim:
To support pharmacists to play a proactive role in respiratory management of the health impact of indoor air pollution by helping to address their practice and education needs to enable them provide better patient advice and self-care.
Learning objectives:
• Identify the sources of indoor air pollution and its increasing threat to health
• Understand the short- and long-term impact of indoor air pollution particularly on children
• Understand clinical, pharmacological, and non-pharmacological treatments including self-care measures to minimize the impact of air pollution on respiratory health
• Illustrate how advocacy can impact behavior change to support adoption of better self-care practices aimed at reducing health impact of air pollution.
Moderator:
– Lina Bader, FIP Lead for Equity, sustainability policy and development International Pharmaceutical Federation, Saudi Arabia
Facilitator:
– Nour Eltahla, FIP Projects Coordinator for Equity, sustainability policy and development International Pharmaceutical Federation, Saudi Arabia
Panelists:
– Lidia Morawska, Director International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (WHO CC for Air Quality and Health), Queensland University of Technology, Australia
– Gary WK Wong, Professor and honorary consultant, Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
– Tyler Knowlton, Director of Communications, Communities, and Partnerships Plume Labs, France
Outdoor and indoor air pollution: short- and long-term impacts on health
Air pollution needs to be addressed urgently and not only as an environmental and ecological threat, but also as a direct threat to health. This webinar describes the multiple ways in which air pollution can be harmful to health. Understanding such impacts is essential so that professional services and interventions by pharmacists can be developed to address this global threat.
Community pharmacy roles, services and tools to minimise impact of air pollution on health
Health systems and health care professionals are called upon to address and mitigate the impact of air pollution on people’s health and quality of life. This webinar provides examples of services that pharmacists can deliver to support better breathing.
Leveraging pharmacists to minimise the impact of air pollution on health: Policy barriers and drivers
There is an evolving role for community pharmacists, not only in reactive respiratory illness, but also in supporting proactive individual and community respiratory wellness. However, what needs to change in terms of policy and regulation for these roles to become part of mainstream pharmacy practice? This symposium marks the 2021 United Nations’ International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, by addressing the drivers and barriers for the full deployment of these services, and discuss the key points of the FIP call to action on this global health priority.
