A new study from the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC) reveals alarming health consequences tied to smoke from Canadian wildfires. Researchers have found that the smoke, which drifted across the U.S. in June 2023, led to a nearly 20% increase in medical visits related to heart and lung conditions. The findings, published today in JAMA Network Open, underscore the growing health risks posed by wildfire smoke, not just in areas close to fires, but thousands of miles away.
In June 2023, catastrophic wildfires in Western Canada created a massive plume of smoke that traveled over 2,000 miles, significantly impacting air quality on the U.S. East Coast. The smoke led to hazardous conditions in Baltimore and other nearby regions, resulting in a sharp rise in medical visits related to cardiopulmonary issues.
Dr. Mary Maldarelli, the first author of the study and a pulmonary critical care fellow at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, described the visible and sensory impact: “Baltimore had very dark skies, and we could all smell the smoke in the air. Most importantly, my patients were coughing more and using their medications more frequently, feeling much sicker than usual during these wildfire events.”
The study is part of ongoing efforts to understand how climate change-related events, such as wildfires, contribute to health problems. Using satellite and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data, the researchers identified six “hotspot” days in June 2023 when wildfire smoke led to air pollution levels above EPA safety standards in all 23 counties of Maryland. The team then analyzed nearly 2 million de-identified electronic health records from the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) to assess the effect on medical visits during these days.
The results of the study are concerning. The researchers found that the presence of wildfire smoke was linked to an 18% increased likelihood of patients seeking medical attention for heart and lung conditions. Furthermore, outpatient visits for these conditions rose by 55%. These patients tended to be older, non-smokers, and from more socioeconomically affluent backgrounds than those typically affected by such issues, raising important questions about healthcare access.
Dr. Bradley Maron, the corresponding author of the study and Professor of Medicine at UMSOM, emphasized the broader implications of these findings: “The increase in medical visits underscores the impact of environmental health on vulnerable populations. It also highlights the importance of equitable access to healthcare, especially on high-risk days like those when wildfire smoke fills the air.”
The study suggests that more economically disadvantaged populations may not be receiving the medical care they need during such environmental health crises. With climate-related events like wildfires becoming more frequent, experts stress the need for improved healthcare tools to better support at-risk communities during such times.
As climate-related health risks continue to grow, healthcare providers must find new ways to protect their patients. Dr. Mark T. Gladwin, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, points to the potential of proactive healthcare: “Leveraging advanced data systems and telehealth could provide essential care during wildfire smoke events. By identifying high-risk patients, we can deliver anticipatory care to help mitigate the cardiovascular complications triggered by polluted air.”
The study also explores the role of advanced data analytics in healthcare. With access to detailed clinical records and satellite data, researchers are better positioned to monitor air quality and health outcomes in real-time, making it possible to respond more swiftly and effectively to environmental health threats.
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