COVID-19 in the Asia Pacific: impact on climate change, allergic diseases and One Health

Abstract

Climate change and environmental factors such as air pollution and loss of biodiversity are known to have a major impact not only on allergic diseases but also on many noncommunicable diseases. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in many environmental changes during the different phases of the pandemic. The use of face masks, enhanced hand hygiene with hand rubs and sanitizers, use of personal protective equipment (gowns and gloves), and safe-distancing measures, reduced the overall incidence of respiratory infections and other communicable diseases. Lockdowns and border closures resulted in a significant reduction in vehicular traffic and hence environmental air pollution. Paradoxically, the use of personal protective equipment and disposables contributed to an increase in environmental waste disposal and new problems such as occupational dermatoses, especially among healthcare workers. Environmental changes and climate change over time may impact the exposome, genome, and microbiome, with the potential for short- and long-term effects on the incidence and prevalence of the allergic disease. The constant use and access to mobile digital devices and technology disrupt work–life harmony and mental well-being. The complex interactions between the environment, genetics, immune, and neuroendocrine systems may have short- and long-term impact on the risk and development of allergic and immunologic diseases in the future.

APAAACI 2023 International Conference: The innovation revolution in allergy, asthma, and immunology

“…After more than a decade since the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (APAAACI) 2010 congress was last hosted in Singapore, the conference was held again in Singapore from October 23, 2023 to October 26, 2023, at the same iconic Suntec International Exhibition and Convention Centre. Healthcare transformation in the delivery of care for children and adults with allergic and immunologic diseases was rapidly accelerated during and following the coronavirus disease pandemic with the use of digital health and telemedicine [ 1 - 3 ]. Embedded within APAAACI 2023’s 3 plenary, 26 symposia, 4 workshops, and 8 oral and poster presentation sessions were a few overarching themes: a call for more multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary clinical, education, and research collaborations; increase in the proportion of Asian representation (since Asia represents more than 50% of the world’s population) in clinical trials and real-world data; and the use of big data and analytics to link up the world’s allergy/immunology centers of excellence [ 4 ].…”