MEET-OUT
Mitigation of the Effects of Environmental Triggers on the Outcomes of Chronic Respiratory Diseases (MEETOUT)
Asthma, rhinitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among the most prevalent chronic respiratory diseases in the general population. Environmental triggers such as chemical pollutants, aeroallergens, and adverse weather conditions can provoke symptoms in sensitized individuals and exacerbate pre-existing chronic respiratory diseases.
Climate change may be one of the factors responsible for the increase in the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis observed in recent decades. The effects of climate change could partly be mediated by alterations in the distribution of allergenic plants and variations in the emission, seasonality, and allergenicity of pollen grains.
This project aims to assemble a multidisciplinary team of researchers who will collaborate to achieve the following scientific objectives:
1. Understand the impact of climate change on human exposure to adverse environmental triggers
2. Investigate the effects of environmental triggers on health outcomes in asthma, rhinitis, and COPD
3. Develop a web-based platform to provide forecasts of the environmental conditions to susceptible individuals
4. Investigate novel climate change adaptation/mitigation strategies, such as urban reforestation and heat-recovery mechanical ventilation in indoor environments
By addressing these objectives, MEETOUT seeks to reduce the adverse effects of environmental triggers on individuals with chronic respiratory diseases, improving their quality of life and health outcomes.