The Impact of Environmental and Climate Factors on Pneumonia Pathogenesis

Air pollution and climate change are intricately linked, each amplifying the other's effects. Both have an impact on respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergy, most commonly associated with exacerbations of these conditions. They also impact on the occurrence, etiology, and severity, including mortality, of respiratory infections, in particular pneumonia, especially among vulnerable populations. Commonly affected pathogens are many and include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Ongoing research needs to determine fully the mechanisms and consequences of these environmental changes to understand how best to mitigate against these effects.