Introduction: Air pollution, health prevention, and socioeconomic status have gained attention, with evidence indicating a rising risk of largely preventable respiratory diseases. These illnesses remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Latin America, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. We hypothesized that environmental and behavioral factors significantly influence respiratory diseases. Despite growing recognition, gaps remain in understanding their interactions across diverse settings. This review aims to inform targeted public health strategies to reduce respiratory morbidity, mortality, and health inequities.
Methods: We conducted a narrative review using PubMed to identify observational and epidemiological studies in English and Spanish examining environmental exposures and respiratory outcomes in Latin America. Inclusion criteria were studies focused on the region, environmental exposures, and chronic or infectious respiratory diseases. Results Particulate matter, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and tobacco use are key contributors to chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma and lung cancer, and infectious diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. These exposures disproportionately affect children, older adults, women, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, with disparities exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic due to disrupted healthcare access and increased mortality. Discussion Interventions including tobacco control, cleaner cooking fuels, improved ventilation, vaccination, and increased access to trained respiratory specialists could improve population health. Although findings were broadly consistent, heterogeneity in study design, potential confounding, and limited data from certain countries and populations may reduce generalizability.
Conclusion: Lifestyle and infrastructural interventions may improve overall health in Latin America. Further research is needed to better define respiratory outcomes and guide targeted improvements.
Methods: We conducted a narrative review using PubMed to identify observational and epidemiological studies in English and Spanish examining environmental exposures and respiratory outcomes in Latin America. Inclusion criteria were studies focused on the region, environmental exposures, and chronic or infectious respiratory diseases. Results Particulate matter, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and tobacco use are key contributors to chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma and lung cancer, and infectious diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. These exposures disproportionately affect children, older adults, women, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, with disparities exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic due to disrupted healthcare access and increased mortality. Discussion Interventions including tobacco control, cleaner cooking fuels, improved ventilation, vaccination, and increased access to trained respiratory specialists could improve population health. Although findings were broadly consistent, heterogeneity in study design, potential confounding, and limited data from certain countries and populations may reduce generalizability.
Conclusion: Lifestyle and infrastructural interventions may improve overall health in Latin America. Further research is needed to better define respiratory outcomes and guide targeted improvements.