According to UC Davis Health researchers’ most recent study, which was published in the Journal of the COPD Foundation, mitigation strategies are needed for the population that is most impacted by wildfire smoke. More than 34 million Americans suffer from conditions including COPD, asthma, or Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), according to the American Lung Association. The elements of a wildfire affect a person’s health, causing inflammation in the heart, lungs, and neurological system that necessitates emergency room trips. The US Davis Health researchers used a population health approach in their adopted action plan. This methodology takes into account several determinants, such as social, economic, and environmental factors, that impact the health of specific populations.
Journal Reference-
Brooks T. Kuhn, Reshma Gupta. Improving Wildfire Readiness Among Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma: Applying a Population Health Approach to Climate Change. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, 2024; 11 (4): 427 DOI: 10.15326/jcopdf.2024.0509
