Public Health Corner: August 2023
Welcome to the Public Health Corner, a new quarterly section in the Southwest Climate Outlook dedicated to exploring the intersection between climate change and public health in Arizona and New Mexico! In this section, we will dive into the various health impacts of climate change that are affecting our communities and explore strategies to mitigate and adapt to these challenges.
This quarter we focus on the impacts of wildfire on health in Arizona and New Mexico. Fires can emit particulate matter and gaseous compounds which contribute to poor air quality. Smoke from wildfires pose numerous health risks including exacerbation of chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). You can review local air quality reports by using the US Air Quality Index website, and most weather applications on phones integrate this data into daily weather as well. The National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook identifies areas with above, below, and near normal significant fire potential using the most recent weather, climate, and fuels data available. The US Department of Health and Human Services identified above normal wildland fire potential in portions of central Arizona and parts of west-central New Mexico for August 2023.
CLIMAS researchers have been exploring the effect of wildfire for many years through various projects. Most recently, in Spring 2023, CLIMAS researchers engaged in an Indigenous-led workshop series exploring tribal perspectives on fire with the goal of supporting tribal and pueblo natural resource and fire programs in Arizona and New Mexico. You can read more about this workshop series via the Southwest Tribal Fire and Climate Resilience website. CLIMAS researchers are also exploring the effect of prescribed fire, a forest management strategy, and how it affects our health. Are you interested in learning more about wildfires and their impact on our health? Check out the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Smoke-Ready Toolbox.
Join us next quarter in the Public Health Corner as we explore the health impacts of climate change in Arizona and New Mexico, and discover ways we can all work together to create a healthier and more resilient future.
ArcGIS maps to use:
Arizona EPHT Explorer for age adjusted rates per 100K asthma ED visits (most recent is 2021)
You can also use the # of wildfires, but the latest is up to 2015
New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking Query Results for - Asthma ED Visit Age-adjusted Rates Per 10,000 Population