“WHO estimates that by 2050 deaths from climate change will exceed 250,000 annually, while each year approximately 60,000 human lives are lost due to massive natural disasters, with 38,000 relating to deaths in the elderly as a result of global warming. For the Mediterranean region alone, an increase of one temperature unit Celsius per year would lead to a 3.12% increase in total deaths.” The dramatic remarks belong to the pulmonologist-tuberculologist Dr. Stamatoula Tsikrikas, president of the Health Promotion, Medical Education and Smoking Cessation Group of the European Pulmonology Society, and president of the Union of Pulmonologists of Greece, who in an interview with APE-MPE thoroughly illuminates the effects of climate changes in the human organism, which as he says, do not constitute modern knowledge. “The father of Medicine, Hippocrates, with his book “On Winds, Waters and Places” analyzed from a very early age the ways in which atmospheric pollutants and changes affect humans, as well as the serious diseases they cause. Going through the first months of the year and just before the arrival of summer, the countries of the old continent under the hostage of geopolitical turmoil, are experiencing an unprecedented challenge of both energy reserves and temperature changes. In addition, the co-existence of alternating extreme weather events of established climate change appears to be shaping a nascent climate system on the planet where extreme heat, sweeping storms and gale-force winds will lead to significant social and health changes in the way we all live.” .

More than 4,000,000 new cases of asthma in children are diagnosed annually due to air pollution

According to the president of the Union of Pulmonologists of Greece, international bodies such as the Pan-European Pulmonology Society report that air pollution, climate change, sudden temperature changes, humidity fluctuations, as well as air transport of allergens are the main triggering factors for the increase in exacerbation rates bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “More than 4,000,000. new cases of children with asthma are diagnosed every year due to air pollution which causes a particular burden both on the quality of life and on the health systems. One of the most tangible examples was that of the eerie landscape of African dust that hit our country in recent days and led several people to seek emergency medical attention and advice due to the suffocating atmosphere.”

Scientific research data on the implications of climate change and environmental destruction in the modern way of life are particularly alarming and have been sounding the alarm for many decades, foreshadowing unexpected geopolitical, political, cultural and economic changes, says Dr. Tsikrikka. To then point out that “it should be realized that the greater the climate change phenomenon will be, the clearer it will become that the global community will be preoccupied with the emergence of new infectious strains or the reappearance of forgotten microorganisms with incalculable consequences in the human species”. It has been scientifically proven, says the distinguished pulmonologist, that the continued loss of species biodiversity and the violent intrusion into the microenvironment of natural habitats will create the right conditions for the transfer of genetic material between species and possibly the emergence of pandemics, in which man has no previous exposure and consequently the required immunity, as happened with the coronavirus.

Who have the highest morbidity and mortality rates

“During intense weather events, there is a possibility that those exposed will experience mainly clinical symptoms from the respiratory system such as, for example, shortness of breath, intense and persistent cough with increased sputum, chest discomfort or chest pain, while eye irritation may occur, tearing, hoarseness or even dizziness or confusion. If no one is unscathed from the effects of climate change, population groups such as children, patients with low immune system defenses, as well as those suffering from chronic metabolic, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, will record the highest rates of morbidity and mortality. . Especially carefully, should be the people who belong to these vulnerable groups. In periods with sudden atmospheric changes, there has even been a worsening of these chronic diseases, where the exacerbation and burden of the course of the disease is recorded to such a great extent that the patients may end up in the hospital to receive emergency treatment”. Mrs. Tsikrika referring specifically to patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma, stresses that it is recommended that they stay indoors without the use of incomplete combustion heating media, and avoid unnecessary travel outside. “In addition, they should be in constant contact with their pulmonologist for a possible modification of the inhaled treatment and follow specific instructions of the therapist. Maintaining a high level of respiratory health is particularly important for patients with chronic respiratory diseases, who should be assessed and evaluated regularly by pulmonologists, since the possible delay or omission of their visit to their doctor can lead to burden and irreversible damage”. Although the saying of Hippocrates “prevention is better than cure” has been going on for thousands of years, it remains more relevant than ever, concludes Dr. Stamatoula Tsikrika, the president of the Union of Pulmonologists Greece.