Over recent years, Australians have been subject to an unprecedented number of environmental events materially and visibly affecting air quality, including thunderstorm asthma and bushfire smoke. There is increasing evidence that poor air quality adversely affects health with consequences for mortality and morbidity with measured particulates (PM2.5) in January 2019 frequently exceeding World Health Organization standards. Biological factors can also impact air quality with thunderstorm asthma epidemics evidence of a prime example, the 2016 event being associated with severe impacts on health services. Given these events, consideration needs to be given to environmental health literacy which will support individuals with pre-existing illness to recognise and mitigate as far as possible the effects of adverse air quality. Recognising the impact of poor air quality should also urge physicians to advocate for clean air as a necessity for good health.
Keyphrases
- healthcare
- public health
- health information
- mental health
- human health
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- primary care
- lung function
- health promotion
- particulate matter
- air pollution
- emergency department
- risk factors
- coronary artery disease
- allergic rhinitis
- heavy metals
- early onset
- risk assessment
- cardiovascular disease
- cystic fibrosis
- climate change
- type diabetes
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- adverse drug