Thunderstorm Asthma Will Hurt the Black Community

Excerpt: The frequency and strength of thunderstorms are increasing across America because of climate change. As the world’s global temperature rises we will experience shifts in our weather and wind patterns. Ultimately, having more extreme weather events including thunderstorms because of the rise in greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. “Thunderstorm Asthma” is a consequence of extreme or more intense thunderstorms occurring and impacting lung health.

Asthma is a lung disorder that is caused by the inflammation and swelling of the airways which makes it difficult for people to breathe and causes wheezing. There are 27 million or 1 in 12 people in the United States with Asthma (1,2). As one of the leading chronic diseases in children in the United States, it remains an important disorder that needs to be managed and controlled in order to prevent complications and hospitalizations. Asthma has many triggers that can cause flare ups or exacerbations in adults and children. Pollutants in the air that include pollen, smoke, and mold can worsen Asthma symptoms causing difficulty breathing. Almost 40% of adults and children that have Asthma have at least one episode of an Asthma exacerbation or flare up each year (3). Asthma exacerbations increase a person’s risk of needing hospitalization or higher level of care to help manage and control symptoms.

Check out full article HERE in the Young, Gifted, and Green Catch the Green Tea Blog Series.