Surveyed physicians recounted anecdotal evidence of patients with health issues from exposure to wildfire smoke, worsened asthma symptoms from exposure to pollutants and more severe allergy seasons, among other conditions, according to Huffington Post coverage of the survey.
The survey, conducted by George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., is based on responses from more than 900 physician members of the American Thoracic Society. Key findings from the report indicate the following physician concerns about climate change.
- 89 percent of respondents agreed climate change is happening.
- 68 percent said climate change is driven by human activity.
- 77 percent reported an increased severity in chronic disease from air pollution.
- 58 percent reported an increased severity in allergies from plants and mold.
- 57 percent reported an increase in severe weather-related injuries.
The majority of respondents expect to see climate-related issues impact health over the next two decades, according to the report.
“There are a growing [number] of members in my society, and I suspect other societies, that are trying to elevate this as an issue,” Gary Ewart, director of government relations at the American Thoracic Society, told Huffington Post.
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