Air pollution, climate and COPD: acute and long-term impacts in Canadian populations

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term condition in which respiratory symptoms, in particular chronic breathlessness, and flare ups (acute exacerbations) lead to morbidity and disability, with subsequent reduction in health status. COPD is the number one cause of hospital admissions among chronic illnesses in Canada and the fourth leading cause of death globally. COPD is also an extremely costly disease: yearly costs of COPD in Canada are expected to increase from $4 billion in 2010 to $9.5 billion by 2030. While tobacco smoke is recognized as the single most important risk factor for the development and progression of COPD, 25% to 45% of individuals with COPD have never smoked. To decrease the burden of disease, we must therefore better understand the contribution of environmental factors beyond cigarette smoking to COPD development and exacerbation. While past studies have shown associations between COPD and air pollution and weather, the consequences of climate change on COPD and respiratory health are not well understood. Climate projections show that Canadian cities can expect an increase in abnormal weather events such as heat waves and extreme cold events, more wildfires leading to poor air quality episodes, and overall higher levels of air pollution over the next decades. This project will make use of data collected by three large pan-Canadian studies linked to short and long-term air pollution and climate data as well administrative health information on COPD hospital admissions and medication use to explore how environmental factors stemming from climate change will impact the burden of COPD in Canada. Results from this project will help develop public health and clinical management guidelines for COPD and respiratory heath, thereby allowing clinicians and policy makers to adapt to a changing climate. This study will also help communicate the respiratory health risks of climate change to the public and decision makers.