Climate Change and Air Pollution-Related Health Effects on Pain

Pamela Kushner (), Pranab Kalita, Frédérique Bariguian Revel, Christie Oliver, Mounika Nangineedi and Mary Cardosa
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Pamela Kushner: Family Medicine, University of California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA 92868, USA
Pranab Kalita: OTC Global Category Medical Affairs, Haleon plc., Weybridge KT13 0NY, UK
Frédérique Bariguian Revel: Global R&D OTC Category—Medical and Scientific Affairs, Haleon plc., 1260 Nyon, Switzerland
Christie Oliver: Public Policy and International Affairs (Corporate Affairs), Haleon plc., Weybridge KT13 0NY, UK
Mounika Nangineedi: Global OTC R&D Pain, Haleon plc., Richmond, VA 23220, USA
Mary Cardosa: Department of Anaesthesiology, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM, Jalan Yaacob Latif Kuala Lumpur, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: Climate change-related weather extremes and air pollution have wide-ranging health effects, with emerging evidence suggesting a potential influence on pain. This narrative review explores the relationship between climate-related weather parameters/air pollution with pain across various conditions, including chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain, postoperative pain, headache/migraine, dysmenorrhea, and chest pain. Included studies were published in 2014 or later. Findings indicate that higher humidity/dampness may exacerbate pain in individuals with knee osteoarthritis, while extremes in temperature and humidity are linked to a higher risk of gout arthritis attacks. No clinically meaningful associations were found between weather parameters and acute low-back pain. However, lower barometric pressure, elevated temperatures, and possibly higher humidity may influence postoperative pain levels. Headache and migraine episodes were more frequent during heat waves and periods of high humidity or rainfall, as well as in areas with elevated traffic-related air pollutants and particulate matter. Air pollution exposure was also associated with increased risk of dysmenorrhea, while lower temperatures and higher humidity correlated with more severe menstrual cramps. Temperature extremes were linked to chest pain in patients with asthma and other conditions. Overall, this review highlights the disproportionate pain-related burden of climate change and air pollution on women and emphasizes the need for further research.

Keywords: chronic pain; environmental pollutants; extreme weather; musculoskeletal pain; particulate matter; vulnerable populations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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