Policy Brief: The Necessity of Developing a Population-Based Asthma Registry System in Khuzestan Province

Abstract

Khuzestan Province faces significant air quality challenges, ranking among Iran's most polluted regions. This stems from a combination of unique climatic conditions, industrial and agricultural emissions, and the persistent influx of fine dust from both domestic and international sources. As a result, air quality in the province's urban centers is frequently unhealthy for sensitive groups and often for the general population. These conditions have contributed to a marked increase in respiratory ailments, such as asthma. A critical policy gap exists: Decision-makers currently lack robust, systematic, population-level data to understand the full scope of this public health crisis, identify high-risk groups, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Establishing a population-based asthma registry is essential to fill this information void. Such a system would provide healthcare authorities with the evidence base needed to identify underlying risk factors, track disease-related complications, and assess the impact of various therapeutic and preventive measures. Beyond advancing medical research, the data generated would be instrumental in supporting evidence-based decision-making and targeted policy development within the healthcare system. Specifically, insights from this registry would provide critical evidence to inform national health priorities and strategic resource allocation, guiding investments in prevention, specialized care, and infrastructure for respiratory health across Iran. This policy brief outlines the key challenges and proposes strategic actions for the successful implementation of an integrated asthma registry.