Table 2.
Research needs for adaptation to climate change
Primary prevention | Funding of basic, applied or clinical research in the field of immunology and allergology: allergen research, research into sensitization pathways, development and chronification of allergic diseases |
Research on protective environmental factors with regard to allergies (biodiversity, traditional lifestyle) | |
Exploring the barrier function and microbiome of the skin, gut and respiratory tract | |
Significance of psychosocial factors on development and manifestation of allergic diseases | |
Changing atmospheric circulation patterns: impact on pollen concentration quantification | |
Long-term trends in ragweed allergy in Germany | |
Secondary prevention | Promote studies on interaction between exposome, environmental risks and allergic diseases; better disseminate their results |
Improvement of molecular diagnostics, development of new allergen therapeutics | |
Biomarkers for selection of appropriate patients and prognosis determination for specific immunotherapy (SIT) | |
Response to systemic therapies under different environmental factors such as heat, UV radiation, pollen exposure | |
Effects of the microbiome on allergic diseases | |
Individual pollen monitoring | |
Personalized early warning systems (e.g., thunderstorms for pollen allergy sufferers) |