Why Living Near The Equator Puts You At Asthma Risk

It is estimated by the World Health Organisation that 235 million people globally suffer from asthma; it is the most common chronic disease among children. Contrary to popular belief, asthma is not just a health concern for ‘Western’ or high-income countries, it is a problem all around the world. In fact, it’s known that more than 80 percent of asthma deaths occur in low- and lower-middle income countries – a sad and shocking figure.

A new study published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, revealed that people who live closer to the equator may be more likely to have asthma than those who live in other parts of the world. The study stated that living close to the equator not only increased your likelihood of developing asthma, but also made for hay fever, food allergy and skin sensitisation to house dust mites and mould more likely too.

The authors believe that these factors are influenced by increased exposure to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) rays in sunlight which is obviously more common in countries close to the equator. The marked increase in UV-B could be linked to vitamin D, which is thought to have an effect on the immune system. These modifications can lead to an elevated risk of developing asthma and other problematic allergies.

The rays from the sun are usually the body’s best source of vitamin D and it is quite common for people to be deficient in it. This can cause a number of health problems itself. But this new data seems to suggest that getting too much of it can be very bad for you as well. This throws up interesting  new questions about the role that vitamins play in our bodies and whether an overdose is as bad or perhaps even worse than a deficiency.