Many things can be blamed on global warming, not least the dramatic changes to our weather systems, but can it be held responsible for an increase in breathing related hospital admissions?
The phenomenon is responsible for the hotter summers being experienced every year and, it has now been discovered, for an increase in respiratory emergencies.
According to a three year study, hospital admissions for respiratory problems, such as asthma and COPD, rise by four percent with every degree increase global warming causes.
The discovery was made by a group of meteorologists, public health experts and experts in disease cure and control. They collected data on the short-term effect of climate change and its impact on hospital treatment in Europe.
The study, Assessment and Prevention of Acute Health Effects of Weather Conditions in Europe, looked at temperatures, air pollution and hospital admissions in 12 European cities over a three year period. It showed the higher the temperature, the more hospital treatment was sought for breathing problems, particularly in people over the age of 75.
Hospital admissions were not higher for heart related disease, in fact these decreased over the same three year period.
The results of the study have led researchers to warn that, as temperatures rise due to global warming, there will continue to be an increase in the number of people admitted to hospital with breathing problems across the world. This increase is said to be higher during the hotter summer months.
One of the many triggers of asthma is change in climate and researchers have called for more work to be carried out on public health programs aimed at preventing respiratory disease.
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