Air Pollution & Health: how climate change is increasing both acute and chronic disease risk

The George Institute for Global Health, India organised the fifth evidence2policy (e2p) virtual lecture on December 8, 2021. The topic for the lecture was "Air Pollution & Health: how climate change is increasing both acute and chronic disease risk”.

Started in 2017, the e2p lecture is an annual lecture to spark a conversation around the “know-do gap” in public health policy implementation and it is delivered by a leading global health researcher. This year, the lecture was delivered by Professor Frank J Kelly, Director of the Environmental Research Group and the Health Protection Research Unit on Environment Exposures and Health, Imperial College London. Following the lecture there was fireside chat moderated by Dr Sundeep Salvi, Director, Pulmocare Research and Education (PURE) Foundation and former Founder Director, Chest Research Foundation.

Climate change is making air pollution worse, leading to a rise in both acute health events—such as asthma attacks—and chronic diseases like COPD and cardiovascular conditions. In the George Institute’s evidence2policy (e2p) lecture, Professor Frank J. Kelly explains how climate change is worsening air pollution and, in turn, increasing both acute and chronic health risks in populations around the world. He highlights that rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, and more frequent extreme events (like heatwaves and wildfires) intensify levels of harmful pollutants such as ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which directly affect the lungs and heart. This leads to more frequent asthma attacks, exacerbations of COPD, and higher rates of cardiovascular disease, especially among vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.

Professor Kelly stresses that reducing exposure requires integrated policy action across transport, energy, housing, and urban planning, not just isolated environmental measures. He calls for robust health protection strategies—such as early warning systems, cleaner public transport, and low-emission zones—alongside stronger air quality standards and climate mitigation efforts. In the fireside chat, he and Dr. Sundeep Salvi emphasize that community-level adaptation and public awareness are crucial to closing the “know-do” gap, so that scientific evidence on air pollution and climate health is effectively translated into real-world policies and healthier lives.