How do you explain the risk of air pollution to your patients?

.@ERStalk Environ & Health committee workshop concludes: HCPs vital to raising awareness of air pollution to patients http://ow.ly/pfOe301FoIg 

A recent report by the Royal College of Physicians in the UK has highlighted the pressing need for action on air quality, both in terms of awareness and education, and in order to try and take active measures to reduce pollution levels. The report has calculated that 40 000 deaths are brought forward annually due to air pollution in the UK and highlighted that:     

- air quality in many countries is getting worse;     

- for many vulnerable populations, not enough is being done; and    

- there is a lack of appreciation by patients and the public of the impact of air pollution on their health.

In March 2016, a workshop was convened by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Environment and Healthy Committee (a subcommittee of the ERS Advocacy Council) in response to concerns among members of the ERS on the topic of “the risk of air pollution”. The issue had been raised that many healthcare professionals (HCPs) are now faced daily with questions and concerns from patients about the impact that poor air quality can have on their health. This holds particularly true for individuals who suffer from chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)