Particle Pollution and Risk to Cardiovascular Health
Citation:
Cascio, W. Particle Pollution and Risk to Cardiovascular Health. Presented at Missouri Million Hearts, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Chapel Hill, NC, June 13, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
The presentation will inform the audience at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services about the current state of public health impacts of particulate matter (PM 2.5) exposure and the broad approach of the US EPA’s Office of Research and Development to work with other federal, state, and local agencies to improve risk communication and to apply social sciences for the development of more effective communication. The presentation will include resources for individuals as well as healthcare providers about the health risks of PM 2.5 exposure and strategies to prevent or mitigate exposure.
Description:
The presentation describes the public health impact of particulate matter (PM 2.5) exposures, the strategies to minimize risk, and knowledge gaps that when filled, will help health officials better protect cardiovascular health. The presentation highlights resources available for public health practitioners and health care professionals to protect the public and patients. Epidemiology studies conducted over the last 10 years show that exposure to PM 2.5 is associated with worsening of respiratory conditions such as COPD and asthma. There is growing evidence that particulate exposure triggers heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms and worsens heart failure. Children and pregnant women are also at higher risk. The presentation will share EPA or partner resources such as the Health Heart Toolkit and Research as well as electronic health record research through EPA CARES. Future research should define more accurately populations at higher risk, improve effective communication of risk and dissemination of information on protective actions. Opportunities for future research include randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of personal action to lower exposure and clinical risk and events; risk communication research on counseling patients at higher risk from PM to make personal interventions lower exposure by taking personal actions; and a continuation of health record database research.