A research team from the University of East Anglia has highlighted the importance of smell health in a study published today. The researchers argue that a global focus on smell screening, educational initiatives, and targeted public health policies could benefit millions by improving both mental and physical well-being.
Smell dysfunction is associated with more than 130 different neurological, somatic, and hereditary disorders. Some studies indicate that impaired sense of smell may even play a causal role in certain conditions. Despite this, the research describes smell as a "Cinderella sense" that remains largely neglected in public health discussions.
Professor Philpott emphasized the broader impact of olfactory health: "The sense of smell should be promoted as an essential pillar of health, as it enables good nutrition and cognitive and psychological well-being."
He outlined recommendations from the research team: "We recommend developing smell health educational programmes and awareness campaigns, introducing smell screening and developing and implementing smell health policies across all sectors of society."
Philpott also noted the need for inclusivity: "Inclusive efforts are particularly needed to ensure equity and diversity, particularly given the current demographic as those seeking help are typically not from a diverse cross-section of the community."
The findings were published in Clinical Otolaryngology under the title 'The Need to Promote Olfactory Health in Public Health Agendas Across the Globe.'
