Emerging Trends and Research Frontiers in Climate Change and Asthma: Insights From a Two-Decade Bibliometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Climate change has emerged as a major public health challenge, with significant implications for respiratory diseases such as asthma. Environmental factors, including air pollution, aeroallergens, and extreme weather events, are closely linked to asthma exacerbations, yet the global research landscape on this topic remains fragmented. This study aimed to systematically map research trends, hotspots, and emerging frontiers in the field of climate change and asthma over the past two decades.

METHODS

Publications from January 1, 2005, to March 31, 2025, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) using a defined search strategy. Only articles and reviews in English were included, resulting in a final dataset of 1033 publications. CiteSpace was employed for bibliometric analysis, including coauthorship, cocitation, and keyword co-occurrence mapping, as well as cluster and burst detection, to identify influential contributors, collaborative networks, and thematic evolution.

RESULTS

Annual publications increased steadily, peaking in 2024. The United States and China were the most prolific countries, with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, and Columbia University among the leading institutions. Key research hotspots included climate-related environmental exposures (e.g., PM2.5, ozone, and temperature variability), allergen dynamics (e.g., pollen, ragweed, and fungal spores), vulnerable populations (particularly children), and public health impacts. Emerging frontiers encompassed interdisciplinary integration, predictive modeling, mechanistic studies focusing on oxidative stress and immune regulation, and climate adaptation strategies. Despite progress, challenges remain in integrating asthma-specific measures into climate-health policies, conducting long-term multinational studies, and advancing translational research.

CONCLUSIONS

This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the global research landscape on climate change and asthma, revealing thematic evolution from allergen and epidemiological studies toward mechanistic and policy-oriented research. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing global data sharing, and embedding asthma prevention into broader climate mitigation and adaptation frameworks will be critical for reducing the respiratory health burden in a changing climate.