In Japan, heavy rainfall brought by forecasts often leads to concerns about flooding and landslides. However, scientists are now drawing a strong association between this extreme rainfall and an increase in mortality from respiratory diseases. Researchers have analyzed the link between respiratory mortality and extreme rain in 30 cities across East Asia, including Japan, and found that intense rainfall significantly increases the risk of death from respiratory diseases compared with days without such rainfall.
The strongest link was observed for asthma, followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a lung disease that restricts airflow. No significant association was found for pneumonia. The new understanding of the impact of extreme rain on respiratory health highlights the importance of addressing climate change to mitigate the risks to public health. More research is needed to clarify the connection between extreme rainfall and respiratory health, but this study sheds light on a concerning trend that should be taken seriously.
