Wildfire Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy: Consensus-Building to Co-Create a Community-Engaged Study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Perinatal Epidemiology
• Community-Engaged Research

Background:

• Klamath County, Oregon, faces significant air quality challenges from wildfire smoke.
• Elevated rates of infant mortality and low birthweight are observed in Klamath County.
• Klamath County Public Health (KCPH) hypothesizes wildfire smoke contributes to adverse infant health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a community-engaged research (CEnR) project.
• To assess community and individual exposure to wildfire smoke contaminants.
• To investigate the relationship between wildfire smoke exposure and perinatal health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary team of 24 individuals from academic, public health, and community organizations collaborated.
• A modified Delphi method and structured meetings with iterative feedback were used to develop the study design.
• The study involved environmental, residential, and personal samplers and health surveys with pregnant individuals during wildfire season.

Main Results:

• A community-engaged research study design was successfully developed and trialed in Klamath County.
• The study captured data on wildfire smoke exposure and perinatal health outcomes.
• The project highlighted the advantages and challenges of CEnR in a rural, smoke-impacted setting.

Conclusions:

• Community-engaged research is a viable approach for studying environmental health impacts in rural communities.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of wildfire smoke on infant health.
• Partnerships between public health agencies, researchers, and the community are crucial for addressing local health concerns.