Wildfire Smoke: Opportunities for Cooperation Among Healthcare, Public Health and Land Management to Protect Patient Health

Preventing the adverse health impacts of wildfire smoke involves helping people understand if they are at risk, and the actions they can take to limit exposure. Cooperation between land managers, public health officials, and the health care system could alert the public to take actions that reduce wildfire smoke-related health risks.

Impact/Purpose

This commentary addresses the importance of reducing exposures and health risks of wildland fire smoke. Wildfires in North Carolina continue to increase and most health care providers are unaware of the connection between air pollutants in wildland fire smoke and health and what can be done to reduce these exposures. This commentary provides succinct information on the current health evidence, including studies undertaken in NC, and also provides practical means for health care providers to become more informed, and information to share with their patients and other caregivers. It also stimulates the medical community to consider a public health alert system that would reach more patients and reduce their health risks during smoke events in their communities.

Citation

Robarge, G., S. Katz, AND W. Cascio. Wildfire Smoke: Opportunities for Cooperation Among Healthcare, Public Health and Land Management to Protect Patient Health. North Carolina Institute of Medicine, Durham, NC, 81(5):320-323, (2020). [DOI: 10.18043/ncm.81.5.320]

DOI: Wildfire Smoke: Opportunities for Cooperation Among Healthcare, Public Health and Land Management to Protect Patient Health