Asthma-Associated Emergency Department Visits During the Canadian Wildfire Smoke Episodes - United States, April- August 2023

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023 Aug 25;72(34):926-932. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7234a5.

Abstract

During April 30-August 4, 2023, smoke originating from wildfires in Canada affected most of the contiguous United States. CDC used National Syndromic Surveillance Program data to assess numbers and percentages of asthma-associated emergency department (ED) visits on days with wildfire smoke, compared with days without wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke days were defined as days when concentrations of particulate matter (particles generally ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter) (PM2.5) triggered an Air Quality Index ≥101, corresponding to the air quality categorization, "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups." Changes in asthma-associated ED visits were assessed across U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regions and by age. Overall, asthma-associated ED visits were 17% higher than expected during the 19 days with wildfire smoke that occurred during the study period; larger increases were observed in regions that experienced higher numbers of continuous wildfire smoke days and among persons aged 5-17 and 18-64 years. These results can help guide emergency response planning and public health communication strategies, especially in U.S. regions where wildfire smoke exposure was previously uncommon.

MeSH terms

  • Asthma* / epidemiology
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Humans
  • Smoke / adverse effects
  • Wildfires*

Substances

  • Smoke