Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 17: A recent study reveals that the combination of air pollution, dense city living, and lack of green spaces significantly raises the risk of asthma in both children and adults. Researchers found that improving these environmental factors could potentially prevent around 11.6% of asthma cases, a chronic respiratory disease marked by airway inflammation and breathing difficulties.

Unlike previous research that focused on individual environmental risks, this study from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet evaluated multiple factors together, offering a clearer picture of how urban living impacts asthma development. The findings suggest that one in every ten asthma sufferers might have avoided the condition if exposed to a healthier environment.

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“This insight is crucial for policymakers and urban planners,” said Professor Erik Melén from the Department of Clinical Research and Education. “Our approach helps identify high-risk areas in existing cities and can guide the design of healthier urban spaces in the future.”

The study analyzed data from nearly 350,000 individuals across 14 population groups in seven European countries. Researchers linked each person’s home address to environmental data, including air pollution levels, outdoor temperatures, and urban density. Satellite imagery helped classify areas into built-up, green, or water-covered zones.

During the study, close to 7,500 participants developed asthma. Moving forward, scientists plan to analyze blood samples to explore the metabolome—the body’s metabolic profile—to understand how environmental exposures influence asthma’s onset and progression.

This research underscores the urgent need for greener, less polluted cities to safeguard public health and reduce the burden of asthma worldwide.