Climate change and respiratory health in Bangladesh

This project is based at PRF in Bangladesh.

Overview

Project title: Climate Change and Respiratory Health in Bangladesh

Programme: Climate & Health

Based at: Projahnmo Research Foundation, Bangladesh

Start date: 01 October 2024

End date:  

Principal investigator: Salahuddin Ahmed

Background

Bangladesh is among the top ten most climate-affected countries globally. The alarming progression of climate change is linked to the increasing levels of ambient air pollution, posing significant hazards to human health. 

Climate change can have a negative impact on lung function, exacerbating respiratory conditions, especially for adults and the elderly. The main diseases of concern are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory infections. However, the pattern of respiratory diseases in relation to climate change and air pollution has not been adequately studied in Bangladesh.  

Furthermore, there is a scarcity of lung function status data, hindering the assessment of changes in lung function related to climate and air quality parameters. Sylhet in northeastern Bangladesh bears a high burden of respiratory diseases, with our pilot data revealing approximately 16% of the population aged 60+ having COPD. 

Aim and Impact

This study will explore the relationship between climate change and the pattern of respiratory diseases in Sylhet. Furthermore, this study will collect baseline data on various climate and air pollution parameters and the lung function status of adult population in rural and urban area of Sylhet, Bangladesh.  

Objectives: 

  1. To establish a baseline database on various climate parameters, ambient air pollution, and lung function status among the adult population in urban and rural settings in Bangladesh and to assess the impact of urban-rural climate variability on the lung function status. 
  1. To investigate climate change and ambient air pollution trends and variability in Bangladesh based on historical data. 
  1. To assess the respiratory disease patterns over the last 10 years among the adult population attending selected hospitals in Bangladesh, and its relationship with climate change and ambient air pollution. 

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