Brazil respiratory health and temperature trends

Respiratory health concerns in Brazil have been linked to both seasonal environmental changes and extreme temperature fluctuations. Initial reports indicated that the arrival of spring increased instances of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and sinusitis due to pollen dispersal, humidity variations, and indoor allergens like dust mites and fungi.

Subsequent research published in PLOS Climate expanded on these risks by analyzing mortality data from 2010 to 2020. The study estimated that 66,079 deaths—approximately 6.08% of all respiratory disease deaths in the analyzed municipalities—were attributed to exposure to non-ideal thermal conditions.

Regional patterns of vulnerability vary: the North and Northeast regions experienced higher mortality primarily driven by heat, whereas the South saw cold temperatures as the primary driver of respiratory mortality. In the Southeast, the impact of heat and cold was more balanced. Additionally, studies in Minas Gerais noted that while temperature and rainfall influence hospitalization rates, respiratory diseases remain multifactorial, influenced by social and demographic factors, with the COVID-19 pandemic having disrupted historical seasonal patterns.