Climate change and the immune system
Abstract
Introduction: Climate change and global warming have major consequences for human health, including effects on the immune system.
Areas covered: The impact of global warming on vector transmitted infectious diseases, such as West Nile Virus and dengue. Changes in pollen grain composition and pollen season duration, along with increased frequencies of dust storms, have detrimental impacts on asthmatic and allergic patients. The direct and indirect effects of climate change on autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases are also discussed. Literature on climate and the immune system was retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar up to 21 July 2025.
Expert opinion: Climate change will lead to the spread of tropical infectious diseases toward moderate climate regions. Recommended vaccination schedules should be adapted to include these diseases. The changing climate has also extended pollen season and increased both the frequency and severity of dust storms, which impacts asthmatic patients. There are indications that next to extreme heath, pollen exposure contributes to acute cardiac events and complications after cardiovascular surgery. More insight into the underlying mechanisms of the negative effects of climate changes on the immune system could allow to take the appropriate measures and interventions to mitigate climate-associated immune-mediated diseases.
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