A new study shows that the risk of premature death due to temperature increases associated with global warming is six times higher for Europeans who are already suffering from respiratory problems.
The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) want to ensure that the respiratory health effects and costs of climate change are considered in all discussions and recommended actions at the EU level.
A one degree increase in temperature produces a 1-3% increase in deaths in the general population, but this same temperature increase results in a 6% increase in deaths among people with respiratory conditions.
The ERS encourages its doctors to speak out and to educate healthcare professionals on the impact of hotter temperatures on their patients.
HEAL, who represents more than 60 health and environment organisations, are encouraging other medical bodies to produce similar papers to increase awareness of the effect of climate change on health.