Climate Change Intensifies Pulmonary Threats, Straining Intensive Care Units
CHICAGO – A surge in climate-related events – from wildfires to extreme heat – is directly exacerbating pulmonary illnesses and placing unprecedented strain on intensive care units, experts warned during a panel discussion at the American Thoracic Society International Conference this week. the escalating crisis demands proactive measures from physicians, including advocacy for preventative infrastructure and improved access to care for vulnerable populations.
The growing intersection of climate change and pulmonary health represents a meaningful and accelerating threat.Rising temperatures worsen air quality, increasing ozone levels and particulate matter from wildfires, while extreme weather events displace communities and disrupt healthcare access. These factors contribute to a rise in respiratory illnesses like asthma, COPD, and pneumonia, overwhelming critical care resources. A recent study published in Communications Earth & Habitat (2025;6(1):336) found that anthropogenic climate change demonstrably contributes to wildfire particulate matter and related mortality in the United States.
Panelists highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. “We’re seeing communities that already have limited access to care being further impacted by these climate events,” explained one panelist. “In Puerto Rico,for example,a hospital,even before the most recent hurricane,stands empty and derelict because it sustained catastrophic damage and the authorities there have not been able to come up with a mechanism to revitalize that hospital.”
Physicians are uniquely positioned to mitigate these effects, panelists asserted. Prioritizing vulnerable patients, advocating for cooling centers, and ensuring emergency healthcare accessibility are crucial steps. “As we’ve seen so many rollbacks in environmental protections over the last several months, using our role as pulmonologists and intensivists who take care of patients who have these lived experiences with their diseases definitely getting worse due to climate change, we can very easily offer public comment and testimony…” encouraged Maximous.
The World Health Organization (accessed October 19, 2025) identifies climate change as a major threat to global health, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive action. Addressing the root causes – including ensuring access to healthcare resources and trustworthy information – is vital for building resilience and protecting pulmonary health in a changing climate.
