Events/Webinars
Page: Risk
Driving a more active world: The role of pharmacists in promoting physical activity
Regular physical activity provides significant physical and mental health benefits, including improved brain health and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. It plays a key role in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. Pharmacists can support the promotion of physical activity, but some barriers remain, including limited time, lack of opportunities, and the need for more training on how to properly advise on physical activity. Addressing these barriers is essential to empowering pharmacists in promoting healthier lifestyles and integrating physical activity into patient care.
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.
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and a growing global health concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one third (31%) of adults worldwide, approximately 1.8 billion people, did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022. If this trend continues, inactivity levels could rise to 35% by 2030, putting the world off track to meet global targets for reducing physical inactivity.
WHO recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. However, many people do not meet these guidelines, increasing their risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia and cancers such as breast and colon cancer. Regular physical activity provides significant health benefits, including improved brain function, better disease management, and enhanced mental wellbeing. Pharmacists play a key role in promoting physical activity as part of a holistic approach to disease prevention and health management. Through patient education, counselling, and community engagement, pharmacists can support individuals in adopting more active lifestyles, helping to reduce the burden of NCDs and improve public health outcomes.
Integrating tobacco cessation in chronic respiratory disease care: a comprehensive approach to reducing the global burden
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Premature death and morbidity due to chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), largely driven by smoking, represent a significant global burden and are a significant global health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Smoking is a major risk factor for CRDs.
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An integrated strategy for CRD care (prevention and management) and tobacco cessation includes enforcing comprehensive smoke-free environments, improving hospital and community-based services, leveraging digital health innovations and protecting vulnerable populations.
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Integrating tobacco cessation into CRD management can enhance efficiency, prevent duplication of efforts and maximise synergies within healthcare systems, ultimately reducing CRD prevalence and supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal Target 3.
