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Slavik CE, Chapman DA, Smith H, Coughlan M, Peters E. Motivating parents to protect their children from wildfire smoke: the impact of air quality index infographics. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 6:075001. [PMID: 38974835 PMCID: PMC11223187 DOI: 10.1088/2515-7620/ad5931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Background. Wildfire smoke events are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. Children are especially vulnerable to health effects even at moderate smoke levels. However, it is unclear how parents respond to Air Quality Indices (AQIs) frequently used by agencies to communicate air pollution health risks. Methods. In an experiment (3 × 2 × 2 factorial design), 2,100 parents were randomly assigned to view one of twelve adapted AQI infographics that varied by visual (table, line, gauge), index type (AQI [0-500], AQHI [1-11+]), and risk level (moderate, high). Participants were told to imagine encountering the infographic in a short-term exposure scenario. They reported worry about wildfire smoke, intentions to take risk-mitigating actions (e.g., air purifier use), and support for various exposure reduction policies. Subsequently, participants were told to imagine encountering the same infographic daily during a school week in a long-term exposure scenario and again reported worry, action intentions, and policy support. Results. Parents' responses significantly differentiated between risk levels that both pose a threat to children's health; worry and action intentions were much higher in the high-risk group than the moderate-risk group in both short-exposure (F = 748.68 p<.001; F = 411.59, p<.001) and long-exposure scenarios (F = 470.51, p<.001; F = 212.01, p<.001). However, in the short-exposure scenario, when shown the AQHI [1-11+] with either the line or gauge visuals, parents' action intentions were more similar between moderate- and high-risk level groups (3-way interaction, F = 6.03, p = .002). Conclusions. These results suggest some index formats such as the AQHI-rather than the AQI-may better attune parents to moderate levels of wildfire smoke being dangerous to children's health. Our research offers insights for agencies and officials seeking to improve current public education efforts during wildfire smoke events and speaks to the critical need to educate parents and help them act short-term and long-term to protect children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Slavik
- Center for Science Communication Research, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, United States of America
| | - Daniel A Chapman
- Center for Science Communication Research, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, United States of America
| | - Hollie Smith
- Center for Science Communication Research, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, United States of America
| | - Michael Coughlan
- Ecosystem Workforce Program, Institute for Resilient Organizations, Communities, and Environments, University of Oregon, United States of America
| | - Ellen Peters
- Center for Science Communication Research, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, United States of America
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Slavik CE, Chapman DA, Cohen AS, Bendefaa N, Peters E. Clearing the air: evaluating institutions' social media health messaging on wildfire and smoke risks in the US Pacific Northwest. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:379. [PMID: 38317121 PMCID: PMC10840270 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17907-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wildfire smoke contributes substantially to the global disease burden and is a major cause of air pollution in the US states of Oregon and Washington. Climate change is expected to bring more wildfires to this region. Social media is a popular platform for health promotion and a need exists for effective communication about smoke risks and mitigation measures to educate citizens and safeguard public health. METHODS Using a sample of 1,287 Tweets from 2022, we aimed to analyze temporal Tweeting patterns in relation to potential smoke exposure and evaluate and compare institutions' use of social media communication best practices which include (i) encouraging adoption of smoke-protective actions; (ii) leveraging numeric, verbal, and Air Quality Index risk information; and (iii) promoting community-building. Tweets were characterized using keyword searches and the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out. RESULTS 44% of Tweets in our sample were authored between January-August 2022, prior to peak wildfire smoke levels, whereas 54% of Tweets were authored during the two-month peak in smoke (September-October). Institutional accounts used Twitter (or X) to encourage the adoption of smoke-related protective actions (82% of Tweets), more than they used it to disseminate wildfire smoke risk information (25%) or promote community-building (47%). Only 10% of Tweets discussed populations vulnerable to wildfire smoke health effects, and 14% mentioned smoke mitigation measures. Tweets from Washington-based accounts used significantly more verbal and numeric risk information to discuss wildfire smoke than Oregon-based accounts (p = 0.042 and p = 0.003, respectively); however, Tweets from Oregon-based accounts on average contained a higher percentage of words associated with community-building language (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This research provides practical recommendations for public health practitioners and researchers communicating wildfire smoke risks on social media. As exposures to wildfire smoke rise due to climate change, reducing the environmental disease burden requires health officials to leverage popular communication platforms, distribute necessary health-related messaging rapidly, and get the message right. Timely, evidence-based, and theory-driven messaging is critical for educating and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about protecting themselves from harmful exposures. Thus, proactive and sustained communications about wildfire smoke should be prioritized even during wildfire "off-seasons."
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Slavik
- School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, 1715 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.
- Center for Science Communication Research, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Daniel A Chapman
- School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, 1715 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
- Center for Science Communication Research, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Alex Segrè Cohen
- School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, 1715 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
- Center for Science Communication Research, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Nahla Bendefaa
- School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, 1715 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Ellen Peters
- School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, 1715 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
- Center for Science Communication Research, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
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Vien MH, Ivey SL, Boyden H, Holm S, Neuhauser L. A scoping review of wildfire smoke risk communications: issues, gaps, and recommendations. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:312. [PMID: 38281022 PMCID: PMC10822163 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17681-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wildfire smoke exposure has become a growing public health concern, as megafires and fires at the wildland urban interface increase in incidence and severity. Smoke contains many pollutants that negatively impact health and is linked to a number of health complications and chronic diseases. Communicating effectively with the public, especially at-risk populations, to reduce their exposure to this environmental pollutant has become a public health priority. Although wildfire smoke risk communication research has also increased in the past decade, best practice guidance is limited, and most health communications do not adhere to health literacy principles: readability, accessibility, and actionability. This scoping review identifies peer-reviewed studies about wildfire smoke risk communications to identify gaps in research and evaluation of communications and programs that seek to educate the public. METHODS Four hundred fifty-one articles were identified from Web of Science and PubMed databases. After screening, 21 articles were included in the final sample for the abstraction process and qualitative thematic analysis. Ten articles were based in the US, with the other half in Australia, Canada, Italy, and other countries. Fifteen articles examined communication materials and messaging recommendations. Eight papers described communication delivery strategies. Eleven articles discussed behavior change. Six articles touched on risk communications for vulnerable populations; findings were limited and called for increasing awareness and prioritizing risk communications for at-risk populations. RESULTS This scoping review found limited studies describing behavior change to reduce wildfire smoke exposure, characteristics of effective communication materials and messaging, and communication delivery strategies. Literature on risk communications, dissemination, and behavior change for vulnerable populations was even more limited. CONCLUSIONS Recommendations include providing risk communications that are easy-to-understand and adapted to specific needs of at-risk groups. Communications should provide a limited number of messages that include specific actions for avoiding smoke exposure. Effective communications should use mixed media formats and a wide variety of dissemination strategies. There is a pressing need for more intervention research and effectiveness evaluation of risk communications about wildfire smoke exposure, and more development and dissemination of risk communications for both the general public and vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan H Vien
- Health Research for Action, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA.
| | - Susan L Ivey
- Health Research for Action, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA
| | - Hollynd Boyden
- Health Research for Action, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA
| | - Stephanie Holm
- Health Research for Action, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA
- Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, San Francisco, USA
- University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Linda Neuhauser
- Health Research for Action, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA
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Choy A, Shellington EM, Rideout K, Roushorne M, Joshi P, Carlsten C. Engaging interested parties to optimize wildfire smoke communication in Canada: challenges with initiating change. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1268249. [PMID: 38026430 PMCID: PMC10652752 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1268249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In February 2022, an online Wildfire Smoke Communication Workshop series identified priorities and strategies to improve wildfire smoke communication in Canada. We evaluated the engagement methods, the workshop series and workshop summary report, to determine if participants/organizations initiated changes identified in the workshop to optimize wildfire smoke communication plans. Methods Three evaluation surveys were developed using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework dimensions and PRISM (Practical, Robust, Implementation, and Sustainability Model) contextual domains to measure the engagement impact. Surveys 1, 2, and 3 were disseminated to workshop participants between February 2022 (post-workshop series), May 2022 (pre-wildfire season), and September 2022 (post-wildfire season). Likert survey responses were analyzed descriptively using means and standard deviations. Open-ended written responses were analyzed using deductive reasoning and response proportions. Results Of 69 workshop participants, 28, 19, and 13 responded to surveys 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Workshop participation helped survey 1 respondents consider optimizing wildfire smoke communication (M = 3.93, SD = 0.88). Workshop participation and the summary report helped survey 2 respondents consider new actions to optimize wildfire smoke communication (M = 3.84, SD = 0.74). The most intended action in survey 2 (68%, n = 13) and the most common action taken in survey 3 (62%, n = 8) was to simplify message content. The primary limitation to optimization was capacity. Conclusion The engagement methods, particularly the summary report, were beneficial for organizations to take action to optimize wildfire smoke communication in Canada. Future engagement methods should examine persisting system-level issues and capacity limitations as they undermine the ability to optimize wildfire smoke communication in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Choy
- Legacy for Airway Health, Center for Lung Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Erin M. Shellington
- Legacy for Airway Health, Center for Lung Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Karen Rideout
- Legacy for Airway Health, Center for Lung Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Meghan Roushorne
- Environmental Health Program British Columbia, Health Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Phalgun Joshi
- Legacy for Airway Health, Center for Lung Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christopher Carlsten
- Legacy for Airway Health, Center for Lung Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Naserinejad N, Costanian C, Birot O, Barboni T, Roudier E. Wildland fire, air pollution and cardiovascular health: is it time to focus on the microvasculature as a risk assessment tool? Front Physiol 2023; 14:1225195. [PMID: 37538378 PMCID: PMC10394245 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1225195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change favors weather conditions conducive to wildland fires. The intensity and frequency of forest fires are increasing, and fire seasons are lengthening. Exposure of human populations to smoke emitted by these fires increases, thereby contributing to airborne pollution through the emission of gas and particulate matter (PM). The adverse health outcomes associated with wildland fire exposure represent an important burden on the economies and health systems of societies. Even though cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main of cause of the global burden of diseases attributable to PM exposure, it remains difficult to show reliable associations between exposure to wildland fire smoke and cardiovascular disease risk in population-based studies. Optimal health requires a resilient and adaptable network of small blood vessels, namely, the microvasculature. Often alterations of this microvasculature precede the occurrence of adverse health outcomes, including CVD. Biomarkers of microvascular health could then represent possible markers for the early detection of poor cardiovascular outcomes. This review aims to synthesize the current literature to gauge whether assessing the microvasculature can better estimate the cardiovascular impact of wildland fires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazgol Naserinejad
- School of Global Health, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christy Costanian
- School of Global Health, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Olivier Birot
- Muscle Health Research Center, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Toussaint Barboni
- Laboratoire des Sciences Pour l’Environnement (SPE), UMR-CNRS 6134, University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli, Campus Grimaldi, Corte, France
| | - Emilie Roudier
- School of Global Health, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Muscle Health Research Center, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Wood LM, D’Evelyn SM, Errett NA, Bostrom A, Desautel C, Alvarado E, Ray K, Spector JT. "When people see me, they know me; they trust what I say": characterizing the role of trusted sources for smoke risk communication in the Okanogan River Airshed Emphasis Area. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2388. [PMID: 36539797 PMCID: PMC9763808 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14816-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As wildfire smoke events increase in intensity and frequency in the Pacific Northwest, there is a growing need for effective communication on the health risks of smoke exposure. Delivery through a trusted source or intermediary has been shown to improve reception of risk communication messages. This is especially salient in rural and tribal communities who may be hesitant to trust information from state and federal agency sources. This study aims to identify and characterize trusted sources for smoke risk information in the Okanogan River Airshed Emphasis Area (ORAEA), a rural region of North Central Washington state that is heavily impacted by smoke from wildfires and prescribed fire. METHODS The research team conducted a qualitative study using data collected through key informant interviews and focus groups to assess the role of various sources and intermediaries in disseminating smoke risk information. We used a consensual coding approach in NVivo Qualitative Analysis Software to sort data into preliminary categories, which were grouped into themes using a thematic analysis approach. We used member checking and iterative feedback processes with local project partners throughout the project to ensure credibility of results. RESULTS Through the analysis, we identified three themes characterizing trusted sources for smoke risk communication in the ORAEA. These themes were: (1) local and tribal sources of information are perceived as more trustworthy than state and federal government sources, (2) trustworthiness is determined by an evaluation of multiple factors, in particular, perceived credibility, quality of information, and relationship with the source, and (3) conservative political ideology and perceived parallels with COVID-19 communication influence perception of trust. Within each theme, we identified several sub-themes, which contributed additional nuance to our analysis. CONCLUSION This study provides insights into which sources of information are trusted by rural and tribal community members in the ORAEA and why. Results from our study emphasize the importance of relationships and collaboration with local and tribal partners in smoke risk communication. In this paper, we discuss implications for state and federal agency practitioners and present recommendations for how to work with local and tribal partners on smoke risk communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah M Wood
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Savannah M D’Evelyn
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Nicole A Errett
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Ann Bostrom
- Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Cody Desautel
- Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Natural Resources Department, Nespelem, USA
| | - Ernesto Alvarado
- School of Environmental and Forestry Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Kris Ray
- Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Natural Resources Department, Nespelem, USA
| | - June T Spector
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
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The impact of prolonged landscape fire smoke exposure on women with asthma in Australia. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:919. [PMID: 36482359 PMCID: PMC9733231 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-05231-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the physical and mental health impact of exposure to landscape fire smoke in women with asthma. This study examined the health impacts and information-seeking behaviours of women with asthma exposed to the 2019/2020 Australian fires, including women who were pregnant. METHODS Women with asthma were recruited from the Breathing for Life Trial in Australia. Following the landscape fire exposure period, self-reported data were collected regarding symptoms (respiratory and non-respiratory), asthma exacerbations, wellbeing, quality of life, information seeking, and landscape fire smoke exposure mitigation strategies. Participants' primary residential location and fixed site monitoring was used to geolocate and estimate exposure to landscape fire-related fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). RESULTS The survey was completed by 81 pregnant, 70 breastfeeding and 232 non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding women with asthma. Participants had a median daily average of 17 μg/m3 PM2.5 and 105 μg/m3 peak PM2.5 exposure over the fire period (October 2019 to February 2020). Over 80% of participants reported non-respiratory and respiratory symptoms during the fire period and 41% reported persistent symptoms. Over 82% reported asthma symptoms and exacerbations of asthma during the fire period. Half the participants sought advice from a health professional for their symptoms. Most (97%) kept windows/doors shut when inside and 94% stayed indoors to minimise exposure to landscape fire smoke. Over two in five (43%) participants reported that their capacity to participate in usual activities was reduced due to prolonged smoke exposure during the fire period. Participants reported greater anxiety during the fire period than after the fire period (mean (SD) = 53(13) versus 39 (13); p < 0.001). Two in five (38%) pregnant participants reported having concerns about the effect of fire events on their pregnancy. CONCLUSION Prolonged landscape fire smoke exposure during the 2019/2020 Australian fire period had a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of women with asthma, including pregnant women with asthma. This was despite most women taking actions to minimise exposure to landscape fire smoke. Effective and consistent public health messaging is needed during landscape fire events to guard the health of women with asthma.
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Public health messaging during disasters: Practice and attitudes of Australian emergency nurses. Australas Emerg Care 2022:S2588-994X(22)00090-2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Shellington EM, Nguyen PDM, Rideout K, Barn P, Lewis A, Baillie M, Lutz S, Allen RW, Yao J, Carlsten C, Henderson SB. Public Health Messaging for Wildfire Smoke: Cast a Wide Net. Front Public Health 2022; 10:773428. [PMID: 35646797 PMCID: PMC9132092 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.773428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildfire smoke events are increasing in British Columbia (BC), Canada and environmental and public health agencies are responsible for communicating the health-related risks and mitigation strategies. To evaluate and identify opportunities for improving public communications about wildfire smoke and associated health risks we collaborated with end-users and developed a 32-question online survey. The survey was deployed province-wide from 29 September to 31 December 2020 following a severe wildfire smoke episode, which impacted large parts of BC. Using a convenience sample, we disseminated the survey through email lists, radio advertisements, a provincial research platform, and snowball methods. There were 757 respondents, who were generally representative of provincial demographics. Respondents indicated that they receive wildfire smoke messages from diverse sources, including: websites, social media, radio, and television. Radio was identified as the most important source of information for populations that may have increased exposure or health risks, including Indigenous respondents and those working in the trades. Respondents with lower educational attainment expressed that messaging should be simplified. Environmental and public health agencies should continue to share wildfire smoke messages using diverse methods, ideally tailoring the messages and methods to specific populations at risk for exposure and health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Shellington
- Legacy for Airway Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Phuong D M Nguyen
- Environmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Karen Rideout
- Legacy for Airway Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Prabjit Barn
- Legacy for Airway Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anna Lewis
- Port Alberni Air Quality Council, Port Alberni, BC, Canada
| | - Margaret Baillie
- Community Stakeholder Committee, Legacy for Airway Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sue Lutz
- Community Stakeholder Committee, Legacy for Airway Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ryan W Allen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Jiayun Yao
- British Columbia Observatory for Population and Public Health, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christopher Carlsten
- Legacy for Airway Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah B Henderson
- Environmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Williamson R, Banwell C, Calear AL, LaBond C, Leach LS, Olsen A, Walsh EI, Zulfiqar T, Sutherland S, Phillips C. Bushfire Smoke in Our Eyes: Community Perceptions and Responses to an Intense Smoke Event in Canberra, Australia. Front Public Health 2022; 10:793312. [PMID: 35284396 PMCID: PMC8907569 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.793312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The 2019–20 bushfires that raged in eastern Australia were an overwhelming natural disaster leading to lives lost or upended, and communities destroyed. For almost a month, Canberra, Australia's capital city in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), was obscured by smoke from fires which threatened the outer suburbs. While smoke itself is experientially different from many natural disasters, it nevertheless poses a significant public health threat. As the impact of extended bushfire smoke in an urban setting is relatively unexplored we aimed to capture the individual and community-level experiences of the event and their importance for community and social functioning. We responded rapidly by conducting semi-structured interviews with a range of Canberra residents who, due to their personal or social circumstances, were potentially vulnerable to the effects of the smoke. Three major themes emerging from the narratives depicted disruption to daily life, physical and psychological effects, and shifting social connectedness. This study highlighted the ambiguous yet impactful nature of a bushfire smoke event, and identified four simple key messages that may be critically relevant to policy making in preparation for similar smoke events in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Williamson
- The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Cathy Banwell
- The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- *Correspondence: Cathy Banwell
| | - Alison L. Calear
- Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Christine LaBond
- The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Liana S. Leach
- The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Anna Olsen
- Australian National University (ANU) Medical School, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Erin I. Walsh
- Population Health Exchange (PHXchange), Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Tehzeeb Zulfiqar
- Australian National University (ANU) Medical School, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Stewart Sutherland
- The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Christine Phillips
- Australian National University (ANU) Medical School, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Developing a Short Assessment of Environmental Health Literacy (SA-EHL). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042062. [PMID: 35206251 PMCID: PMC8872614 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental health literacy (EHL) is defined as the understanding of how the environment can impact human health, yet there are few tools to quantify EHL. We adapted the Short Assessment of Health Literacy (SAHL) to create the Short Assessment of Environmental Health Literacy (SA-EHL). Using the Amazon mTurk platform, users (n = 864) completed the 18-item SAHL and the 17-item SA-EHL. The SA-EHL was originally tested with 30 items; 13 items were removed because they were outside the acceptable difficulty parameters (DIFF: −0.4–4.0) or because of limited variance (>90% correct or incorrect), resulting in the final 17 items. Overall, participants scored highly on the SAHL, with 89.9% exhibiting high literacy. In contrast, the majority had low EHL (<1.0% high literacy, 99.2% low literacy) measured by the SA-EHL. The two scales were not correlated with each other (R2 = 0.013) as measured via linear regression and dichotomous variables. Scores on the SAHL and the SA-EHL were positively correlated with education. The SAHL was positively correlated with age, gender and marital status, whereas the SA-EHL was not. The SA-EHL can be used to gauge EHL for communities, and the results used to improve interventions and research translation materials.
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Can Public Spaces Effectively Be Used as Cleaner Indoor Air Shelters during Extreme Smoke Events? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18084085. [PMID: 33924413 PMCID: PMC8070163 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18084085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
During extreme air pollution events, such as bushfires, public health agencies often recommend that vulnerable individuals visit a nearby public building with central air conditioning to reduce their exposure to smoke. However, there is limited evidence that these "cleaner indoor air shelters" reduce exposure or health risks. We quantified the impact of a "cleaner indoor air shelter" in a public library in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia when concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were elevated during a local peat fire and nearby bushfires. Specifically, we evaluated the air quality improvements with central air conditioning only and with the use of portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter air cleaners. We measured PM2.5 from August 2019 until February 2020 by deploying pairs of low-cost PM2.5 sensors (i) inside the main library, (ii) in a smaller media room inside the library, (iii) outside the library, and (iv) co-located with regulatory monitors located in the town. We operated two HEPA cleaners in the media room from August until October 2019. We quantified the infiltration efficiency of outdoor PM2.5 concentrations, defined as the fraction of the outdoor PM2.5 concentration that penetrates indoors and remains suspended, as well as the additional effect of HEPA cleaners on PM2.5 concentrations. The infiltration efficiency of outdoor PM2.5 into the air-conditioned main library was 30%, meaning that compared to the PM2.5 concentration outdoors, the concentrations of outdoor-generated PM2.5 indoors were reduced by 70%. In the media room, when the HEPA cleaners were operating, PM2.5 concentrations were reduced further with a PM2.5 infiltration efficiency of 17%. A carefully selected air-conditioned public building could be used as a cleaner indoor air shelter during episodes of elevated smoke emissions. Further improvements in indoor air quality within the building can be achieved by operating appropriately sized HEPA cleaners.
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