Wildfires and Cardiovascular Health: Evaluating Associations and Intervention Strategies

University Of Montana, Missoula MT

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Summary RPL Walker, Wildfires and Cardiovascular Health: Evaluating Associations and Intervention Strategies Wildfires are a growing public health crisis as they increase in size, intensity, and duration across the United States (US). There is a critical need for the development and evaluation of intervention strategies that reduce wildfire exposures and improve health outcomes. We will leverage ongoing partnerships with clinical researchers in Montana to study the impact of wildfires on cardiovascular health and evaluate the implementation of a novel air pollution intervention among patients with cardiovascular disease. For this project we will pursue the following specific aims. First (Aim 1), we will assess associations between modeled ambient air pollution and health among cardiovascular patients in Montana. We will assess associations between modeled ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and cardiovascular hospitalizations at the zip code level (data 2010-2022) and procedures of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at the address level (data 2018- present). Our hypothesis is that ambient PM2.5 will be adversely associated with cardiovascular hospitalizations and incidence of PCI in Montana. Second (Aim 2), we will develop an expert panel-informed strategy to improve residential indoor air quality. The AIRWISE intervention utilizes portable air cleaners (PACs) to filter indoor air with enhanced aspects focusing on improving PAC compliance. Key components include low-cost sensors that change color according to air quality index (AQI) and behavioral recommendations that correspond to varying AQI levels. Third (Aim 3), we will evaluate AIRWISE acceptance and compliance (Aim 3a) and assess associations between residential indoor PM2.5 and cardiovascular health (Aim 3b). We will administer the AIRWISE intervention to 20 PCI patients recruited from a local cardiovascular clinic and evaluate intervention acceptance and compliance over a 6-month period spanning the 2024 wildfire season in Montana. Our Aim 3a hypothesis is that education and color-changing sensors will increase knowledge and awareness of air quality among participants and lead to improved intervention compliance. We will also prospectively collect health measures to calculate a metric called Life’s Essential 8 (LE8), a construct of cardiovascular health including blood pressure, lipids, glucose, body mass index, nicotine exposure, diet, physical activity, and sleep health. We will assess associations between the LE8 metric and indoor PM2.5 concentrations. Our Aim 3b hypothesis is that the LE8 metric will decrease as household-level PM2.5 increases. Altogether, the aims proposed here will provide extensive preliminary data and create an excellent platform for a future R01 proposal for a randomized trial aimed at reducing air pollution exposures and improving cardiovascular health. This research focuses on a clinically vulnerable population in a wildfire-impacted state, and addresses ongoing calls for improved research related to wildfires and cardiovascular health.