Wildfire Smoke: A Burning Issue for Pediatric Patients

Monday, April 28, 2025

9:15am – 10:45am HST

Location: Convention Center: 320

CE: 1.5

Selected By: ISCHE

Chair(s)

Catherine Karr, MD PHD (she/her/hers)

Professor
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States

Disclosure(s):

Catherine Karr, MD PHD: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Fueled by climate change, the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the US are growing. Short- and long-range transport of smoke plumes from fires expose millions of children each year to dangerous levels of smoke. Robust evidence links these exposures to acute upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms, infections, and asthma exacerbation, while emerging science suggests that smoke exposure can contribute to eczema development or exacerbation and impede lung development and function. The translation of research on wildfire smoke and pediatric health to effective clinical practice is urgently needed. In this symposium, we first provide an overview of the magnitude of this growing public health crisis and describe vulnerabilities and inequities in the pediatric population. Second, a synthesis of the epidemiological evidence connecting wildfire smoke to child health provides the “state of the science” and highlights uncertainties in existing evidence and future research needs. Third, we describe a community-based study set in a rural, low-resourced area highly impacted by smoke, characterizing barriers to protective behaviors to inform future interventions. Fourth, we discuss perspectives from health care providers, sharing research findings related to unmet needs and opportunities to support parents in protecting their children. Finally, we present existing evidence-based resources for pediatricians and families, including risk communication materials appropriate for a variety of settings. Overall, we aim to build a space where researchers and clinicians close the gap between research on wildfire smoke health effects and research translation to protect children’s health.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the types of pediatric health concerns associated with early life exposure to wildfire smoke.
Define knowledge gaps and barriers faced by community members and health care providers in reducing children’s exposure to wildfire smoke.
Upon completion, participants will be able to access resources for patient anticipatory guidance on wildfire smoke exposure protection for diverse populations.

Presentations:

9:15am – 9:25am HST

Wildfire Smoke: Toxicity, Trends, and Disparities
Speaker: Catherine Karr, MD PHD (she/her/hers) – University of Washington
9:25am – 9:40am HST

Wildfire Smoke in Early Life and Adverse Pediatric Health Consequences: An Updated Review of Epidemiological Evidence
Speaker: Allison Sherris, PhD (she/her/hers) – University of Washington
9:40am – 9:55am HST

Understanding Barriers to Wildfire Smoke Protection in Early Life: Perspectives from a Smoke Impacted Community
Speaker: Christine Loftus, PhD MPH MS – University of Washington
9:55am – 10:10am HST

Perspectives from Providers: Knowledge Gaps, Educational Needs, and New Tools for Patient Guidance
Speaker: Mary E. Crocker, MD, MPH (she/her/hers) – University of Washington
10:10am – 10:25am HST

Guidelines and Messaging Resources for Pediatricians and Families
Speaker: Stephanie M. Holm, MD, PhD, MPH (she/her/hers) – University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
10:25am – 10:45am HST

Q & A