Ambrosia And Climate Change - A Public Health Issue

Abstract

Ambrosia (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is an invasive plant with highly allergenic pollen, which spreads rapidly, especially in urban and abandoned agricultural areas.
Increasing temperatures and the extension of the warm season favor both the early and prolonged flowering of ambrosia, as well as the production of a greater amount of pollen.
Ambrosia is one of the strongest causes of seasonal allergic rhinitis, triggering or worsening: bronchial asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, chronic respiratory problems. [1].
The impact on public health consists in the increase in the number of medical consultations, sick leave days and costs for the health system.
This plant is a clear example of a public health problem, directly influenced by the climate crisis, requiring integrated approaches: ecological, urban and sanitary to combat. [2].