Impact of wildfire air pollution on rates of cardiovascular events and mortality

There is an increasing frequency of large wildfires in California. Smoke from these wildfires can drastically increase short-term exposure to harmful air pollutants, especially particulate matter (PM), and some KPNC members may be at greater risk of the adverse health effects of wildfire smoke due to underlying comorbidities. We aim to investigate the health effects of wildfire-PM on cardiovascular events and mortality, and to determine which populations with underlying comorbidities may be at greatest risk during these wildfire events. By identifying clinical comorbidities that confer increased susceptibility to these deleterious effects, KPNC members who have higher risks could be targeted for specific interventions by their providers.

0