Effects of climate and environmental factors on childhood and adolescent asthma: A systematic review based on spatial and temporal analysis evidence

J Wang; J Cortes-Ramirez; T Gan; J M Davies; W Hu

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175863

Effects of climate and environmental factors on childhood and adolescent asthma: A systematic review based on spatial and temporal analysis evidence

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Nov 15:951:175863. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175863. Epub 2024 Aug 28.

Authors

J Wang¹, J Cortes-Ramirez², T Gan¹, J M Davies³, W Hu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Ecosystem Change and Population Health (ECAPH) research group, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
² Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Australia; School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
³ School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre Immunology and Infection Control, and Resilience Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
⁴ Ecosystem Change and Population Health (ECAPH) research group, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39214358
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175863

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory disease among children, influenced by various climate and environmental factors. Despite its prevalence, the specific effects of these factors on asthma remain unclear. This study aims to systematically assess the epidemiological evidence using spatial and temporal methods on the impact of climate and environmental factors on childhood asthma.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to analyse the impact of climate and environmental factors on childhood asthma and wheezing, focusing on spatial and temporal trends. Searches were carried out in PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases for studies published from January 2000 to April 2024, using key search terms 'asthma/wheezing', 'extreme weather, 'green space', 'air pollution' and 'spatial or temporal analyses".

Results: The systematic review analysed 28 studies, with six employing spatial and 22 using temporal analysis methods; however, none incorporated spatio-temporal analysis in their models. The findings reveal that extreme weather events, including heatwaves and heavy rainfall, elevate childhood asthma risks across various climates, with significant effects observed during summer and winter months. Dust storms in arid and subtropical regions are linked to immediate spikes in hospital admissions due to asthma exacerbations. The effects of green spaces on childhood asthma are mixed, with some studies indicating protective effects while others suggest increased risks, influenced by local environmental factors. Air pollutants such as PM_2.5, NO₂, and ozone can exacerbate asthma symptoms and along with other environmental factors, contribute to seasonal effects. High temperatures generally correlate with increased asthma risks, though the effects vary by age, sex, and climate.

Conclusion: Future research should integrate spatial and temporal methods to better understand the effects of environmental and climate changes on childhood asthma.

Keywords: Adolescent asthma; Air pollution; Childhood asthma; Extreme weather; Green space; Spatiotemporal; Systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Air Pollutants / analysis
Air Pollutants / toxicity
Air Pollution* / adverse effects
Air Pollution* / statistics & numerical data
Asthma* / epidemiology
Asthma* / etiology
Child
Climate Change
Climate*
Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data
Humans
Spatio-Temporal Analysis*

Substances

Air Pollutants