Wildfire smoke and health: current evidence, mechanisms, and future challenges

In the era of climate change, numerous regions worldwide are facing a surge in both the frequency and unprecedented scale of wildfires. Exposure to wildfire smoke poses substantial risks to health, especially for vulnerable populations. Although previous studies have shed light on health effects of wildfire smoke, crucial research gaps persist, including long-term health effects, interactions with pre-existing health conditions, and health disparities. Closing these gaps is vital to enhancing the ability to safeguard public health during wildfire events and to formulate effective strategies for prevention, mitigation, and response. This Review synthesises global evidence on the trends, health effects, and physical and chemical characteristics of wildfire smoke, exploring potential biological mechanisms and challenges in health risk assessment. Acknowledging the global impact of wildfires and their health effects is essential for mitigating environmental, social, and economic challenges. Safeguarding public health requires an interdisciplinary approach to comprehensively address the public health burden from wildfires. This integrated strategy is essential to systematically assess and mitigate the substantial public health burden posed by wildfires, as well as promoting resilience and sustainable solutions for affected communities.