Priority Populations
During wildfire smoke events, certain populations are at risk of worse health outcomes: people with heart and lung diseases, children and youth, pregnant people, older adults, outdoor workers, people with low incomes, people living in substandard housing, and people experiencing homelessness. When planning wildfire smoke exposure interventions, consider and prioritize these groups.
People with heart and lung diseases
- People with heart and lung diseases are more at risk because wildfire smoke is associated with respiratory irritation, shortness of breath, and cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack. During wildfire smoke events, people with heart and lung diseases can experience worsening symptoms and are at higher risk of health complications from wildfire smoke exposure.
- Public health officials can establish clean air spaces that are publicly accessible so that people with co-morbidities can protect themselves from wildfire smoke. Public health officials should also provide targeted information on the risk of wildfire smoke to people with heart and lung diseases.
Children and youth
- Children and youth are more at risk from wildfire smoke exposure because wildfire smoke can harm lung development and can cause respiratory illness later in life. Furthermore, children breathe more air relative to their body, which means they will breathe in more particulate matter during a wildfire smoke event compared to an adult.
- Public health officials can advocate for evidence-informed decision-making regarding school and camp closures. Public health officials can also provide age-appropriate information on air quality and wildfire smoke to children and to caregivers.
Pregnant people
- Wildfire smoke exposure is associated with poor outcomes for both the pregnant person and baby. Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with hypertension and gestational diabetes in pregnant people and to low birth weight, stillbirth, and pre-term birth in babies.
- Public health officials can work with clinics to target outreach about wildfire smoke exposure and health effects to pregnant people.
Older adults
- Older adults are more at risk from wildfire smoke exposure because of their increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular illness.
- Public health officials can target outreach about wildfire smoke events to older adults. Public health officials can also ensure that senior living facilities and nursing homes operate clean air spaces for older adults.
Outdoor workers
- Outdoor workers are at a greater risk during wildfire smoke events because they are more likely to be exposed to smoke over long periods of time. Workers performing strenuous outdoor labor are at particularly high risk, as they are more likely to breathe in more wildfire smoke.
- Public health officials can advocate for implementing wildfire smoke protection policies for workers, including advocating for employer and employee training about wildfire smoke events and for the distribution of NIOSH-approved N95 masks to employees.
People with low incomes
- People with low incomes are more at risk from wildfire smoke because people with low incomes have less access to the resources needed to respond to wildfire smoke events, such as to air purifiers, HVAC systems, and air purifiers. People with low incomes are more vulnerable to wildfire smoke compared to people with higher incomes.
- Public health officials can offer low- or no-cost air purifiers or air filters, including materials for DIY air purifiers. Public health officials can also advocate for low-barrier, publicly accessible clean air spaces.
People living in substandard housing
- People living in substandard housing are more at risk from wildfire smoke because substandard insulation allows for wildfire smoke to leak into the house, reducing indoor air quality. This leads to people living in substandard housing experiencing greater exposure to wildfire smoke.
- Public health officials can advocate for publicly accessible clean air spaces that people living in substandard housing can access to protect themselves. Furthermore, public health officials can offer low- or no-cost air purifiers or air filters for use.
People experiencing homelessness
- People experiencing homelessness are less able to go indoors to protect themselves from wildfire smoke. This increases the risk of wildfire smoke exposure for many people experiencing homelessness.
- Public health officials can advocate for publicly accessible clean air spaces that people experiencing homelessness can access to protect themselves. Public health officials can also coordinate with emergency shelters and other community services to provide information about wildfire smoke exposure and health-related risks to people experiencing homelessness.