Exploring Emerging Trends in Climate Change’s Impacts on the Cardiopulmonary Health of Adults Living in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland: Preliminary Autumn and Winter Results from a Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Climate change and air pollution are major threats to cardiopulmonary health, yet their population-level impacts in alpine regions remain insufficiently documented. METHODS: This pilot study aimed to generate preliminary evidence and assess the feasibility of a larger investigation by examining associations between meteorological and air pollution variables and adult cardiopulmonary emergency department admissions in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. RESULTS: Weekly admissions averaged 4.2 cases (range: 1-14), with peaks in late January and early February. Mean weekly temperature was inversely associated with admissions (IRR = 0.92), indicating higher demand during colder weeks. Ozone exposure showed a positive but non-statistically significant association with weekly cardiopulmonary admissions (IRR = 1.014), suggesting a potential signal that warrants confirmation in larger studies. A demographic-clinical risk index (age, sex, diabetes) was the strongest predictor of care demand (IRR = 1.52), exceeding the influence of individual environmental variables. Place of residence, municipality, and altitude were not significant predictors. Recruitment feasibility was high, with three refusals among 204 screened patients. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings highlight the need for longitudinal, high-resolution studies and support integrating climate resilience into healthcare preparedness, early-warning systems, and sustainable health planning.