Global warming increases respiratory problems

A group of meteorologists, public health experts and epidemiologists gathered data about the short-term effect of climate change and the impact of global warming on hospitalizations in Europe. They found that for every one degree of temperature increase seen with global warming, hospitalizations from respiratory and asthma related illness increase by four percent.

Global cooling increases respiratory problems even more

There was little relationship between consultations for respiratory disease and mean temperature on the same day as the day of consultation. However, a strong association was apparent with temperature levels up to 15 days previously, with an increase in consultations being observed particularly as temperatures drop below 5°C. Every 1°C decrease in mean temperatures below 5°C was associated with a 10.5% (95% CI: 7.6%, 13.4%) increase in all respiratory consultations.

WEATHER AND COPD/EMPHYSEMA

Most exacerbations occur in the winter. As well as patients being told to stay indoors when it's cold and keep warm, they must also avoid crowds or people with infections. Indeed the latter applies to most of the year.