The effects of exposure to air pollution and cold weather on the risk of asthma and respiratory infections in children and young adults
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Auditorium F202 of the Faculty of Medicine
Topic of the dissertation
The effects of exposure to air pollution and cold weather on the risk of asthma and respiratory infections in children and young adults
Doctoral candidate
MSc Abate Bekele Belachew
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Population Health
Subject of study
Public health
Opponent
Professor Giovanni Viegi, National Research Council (NCR), Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), Italy
Custos
Professor Jouni J. K. Jaakkola, Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research (CERH), Research Unit of Population Health, University of Oulu
Understanding the relationship between asthma, respiratory infections, and environmental factors: effects of cold weather and air pollution
Despite extensive research, the relationship between asthma and respiratory infections is still unclear. Scientific evidence about the effect of environmental exposures on respiratory health has increased but the results are still inconclusive and even lacking (for example, the effect of cold temperatures on asthma onset).
The first study reported that individuals with asthma had a higher risk of respiratory infections, such as common cold, bronchitis and pneumoniae, throughout childhood and young adulthood compared to those who did not have asthma. The second study found that cold winter temperature predicted increased risk of developing new asthma. The third study showed that exposure to ambient air pollution during the first year of life increased the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections in the first two years of life. However, no relation was found between exposure during pregnancy and the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections.
The data for three studies was obtained from the prospective population-based Espoo Cohort Study (N = 2568). The information about asthma and respiratory infections was collected based on parental reports (at baseline and 6-year follow-up), self-reports (at 20-year follow-up), and national register data (THL’s Care Register for Health Care). Data on exposure to ambient air pollution and temperatures were obtained from the Finnish Meteorologic Institute.
Our results suggest that the complex interplay between environmental factors, asthma, and respiratory infections should be considered when developing strategies to alleviate the burden these conditions place on society.
The first study reported that individuals with asthma had a higher risk of respiratory infections, such as common cold, bronchitis and pneumoniae, throughout childhood and young adulthood compared to those who did not have asthma. The second study found that cold winter temperature predicted increased risk of developing new asthma. The third study showed that exposure to ambient air pollution during the first year of life increased the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections in the first two years of life. However, no relation was found between exposure during pregnancy and the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections.
The data for three studies was obtained from the prospective population-based Espoo Cohort Study (N = 2568). The information about asthma and respiratory infections was collected based on parental reports (at baseline and 6-year follow-up), self-reports (at 20-year follow-up), and national register data (THL’s Care Register for Health Care). Data on exposure to ambient air pollution and temperatures were obtained from the Finnish Meteorologic Institute.
Our results suggest that the complex interplay between environmental factors, asthma, and respiratory infections should be considered when developing strategies to alleviate the burden these conditions place on society.
Last updated: 14.3.2025