EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION OF ENVIRONMENT AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES: A BIBLIOMETRIC APPROACH

Abstract

Background: Environmental factors, including air pollution, climate change, and occupational hazards, are critical contributors to respiratory diseases, representing a significant public health challenge. A comprehensive understanding of the intersection between these factors and respiratory health is essential for informed policy and prevention strategies.

Objective: This study aims to provide a bibliometric characterization of the existing literature on the environmental impacts on respiratory health, focusing on publication trends, geographical contributions, leading authors, institutions, journals, and research topics.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, covering English articles and reviews published between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2024. A total of 1,052 papers were analyzed, including 764 research articles and 288 reviews.

Results:

• Publication Trends: The annual volume of research has increased steadily, peaking at 142 publications in 2023.


• Geographical Distribution: The United States led with 319 publications and over 18,000 citations, followed by Europe and emerging contributions from Asia, particularly India and Japan.


• Authors and Institutions: Key contributors include J. Chen (Harvard University), K. Lee (University of California), and X. Wang (Tsinghua University). Harvard University ranked highest in publication count, while the University of Toronto’s articles received the highest citations.


• Journals: Notable journals include Environmental Health Perspectives, Lancet Respiratory Medicine, and Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.


• Key Topics: Research themes encompass air quality, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pollution, and climate change.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for transdisciplinary and international collaborations to investigate environmental factors affecting lung health. Such efforts are crucial for developing evidence-based prevention strategies, control measures, and legislative actions to mitigate respiratory health risks.