The Impact of Climate Change on Allergic Disease

There are many drivers of climate change, many of which are related to detrimental health impacts, including allergic diseases. Increasing temperatures, extreme weather patterns, increased CO2 and rising sea levels are all associated with climate change. These climate-associated events have many environmental sequalae, including worsened air pollution and increased aeroallergens. Environmental changes impact allergy-related disease, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and dermatitis, and other disease states.

The goal of this research topic is to address the impact of climate change on allergic disease. The scope of this research topic includes clinical, psychological and therapeutic aspects of climate-sensitive allergic disease, especially related to socially vulnerable populations, who are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Particular emphasis will be on allergy-related health outcomes. For example, wildfires contribution to global PM2.5 is significant and increasing, and exposure to wildfire smoke has been associated with respiratory (and cardiovascular) morbidity and mortality. Other examples include extreme heat (e.g. increased pollen counts, childhood asthma and premature death in the elderly), flooding and drought-related impacts (e.g. windblown dust), and changes in vector ecology associated with vector-borne disease. Mitigation measures, such as studies on the use of air purification, are also of interest. Original research, clinical trials and reviews are of interest.

Keywords: Climate Change, Health, Allergic Disease, Immunology, Vulnerable Populations

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.