Wildfire Smoke Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Cardiorespiratory Emergency Department Visits in Alaska

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Alaskan wildfires pose significant ecological, social, and economic challenges.
• The health impacts of wildfire smoke (WFS) in Alaska remain largely unexamined.
• Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of Alaskan wildfires.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate cardiorespiratory morbidity associated with wildfire smoke (WFS) fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure.
• To analyze the health effects of WFS PM2.5 on emergency department (ED) visits in major Alaskan population centers.
• To identify specific demographic and geographic groups vulnerable to WFS health impacts.

Main Methods:

• Utilized ground-based monitors and satellite data to estimate WFS PM2.5 concentrations.
• Employed time-stratified case-crossover analyses with single and distributed lag models.
• Examined ED visits for asthma and heart failure in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley from 2015-2019.

Main Results:

• Increased odds of asthma-related ED visits were observed on exposure days for individuals aged 15-65, those over 65, and Alaska Native people.
• Specific urban areas like Anchorage and Fairbanks showed elevated asthma ED visit rates.
• A lagged increase in heart failure ED visits was noted for Alaska Native people, and evidence suggests rural populations may delay care.

Conclusions:

• Wildfire smoke (WFS) exposure is linked to significant cardiorespiratory morbidity in Alaska.
• Alaska Native populations and urban dwellers face heightened risks for specific conditions like asthma and heart failure.
• Data-driven public health interventions and fire management strategies are essential to mitigate adverse health effects from increasing Alaskan wildfires.