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As Chair of the Council of Healthcare Professionals at Asthma + Lung UK, I'm deeply concerned about the invisible threat of air pollution on the health of our communities. It's a crisis that disproportionately affects the most disadvantaged, exacerbating health inequalities. Shockingly, for every 100 people who die from asthma in the UK, 31 are from the most deprived areas, compared to only 12 from the least. Studies have shown that the most economically disadvantaged are often those worst affected by air pollution, particularly because they often live near busy roads and yet are least likely to own a car. Wherever we live, the chance of breathing air that exceeds the World Health Organization's recommended pollution limits is alarmingly high. For the millions of Brits with lung conditions like asthma and COPD breathing in toxic air can harm their health and quality of life. Exposure to air pollution is directly linked to respiratory symptoms, hospitalisations, and the likelihood of developing respiratory diseases, even shortening life expectancy. Yet many people remain unaware of how much polluted air affects them. Often the first point of contact in healthcare, community pharmacists are well positioned to educate patients, especially those in polluted areas, about the impact of air pollution on their health.

As local GP services face increasing pressure, the role of pharmacists in managing minor ailments such as cold and cough has become more crucial than ever. Considering environmental and lifestyle factors, such as pollution levels, pollen counts, smoking, and diet, is essential for the effective management of respiratory conditions. In this article, experts explain how pharmacists can leverage these factors to provide more comprehensive advice to patients for managing cold and cough symptoms. Dr Roger Henderson, GP and spokesperson for Olbas, says: "Environmental factors play a critical role in the exacerbation and management of respiratory conditions. For example, high pollution levels can aggravate cold and cough symptoms, particularly in areas where air quality can drastically fluctuate. "By assessing real-time pollution data, pharmacists can advise patients to take precautions on days when pollution levels are high." Air pollution is well known to increase the risk of certain respiratory diseases.