Confluence Health tackles health inequities, prepares community for wildfire smoke

Dr. Bindu Nayak

Dr. Saba Lodhi

Dr. Ellen Mateo

Jill Gustafson

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Confluence Health

As wildfires become more common in North Central Washington, it is important for us to prepare for the known health effects of wildfire smoke.”

Dr. Bindu Nayak,
Endocrinologist and the co-medical director of health equity at Confluence Health

WENATCHEE — As wildfires become more frequent in North Central Washington, various departments and teams at Confluence Health are working to help the community prepare for and mitigate the negative health impacts of wildfire smoke, especially among vulnerable populations.

"As wildfires become more common in North Central Washington, it is important for us to prepare for the known health effects of wildfire smoke," said Dr. Bindu Nayak, an endocrinologist and the co-medical director of health equity at Confluence Health.

Dr. Nayak and fellow Confluence Health physician Dr. Saba Lodhi, a pulmonology specialist, recently contributed to an American Medical Association article discussing how climate change is increasing the severity and health risks of wildfires.

In the article, Dr. Lodhi discussed how the impact on public health comes "in two main ways: By changing the severity of existing health problems and by creating new unanticipated health problems." She added, "Exposure to this particulate matter [from wildfire smoke] increases respiratory and cardiovascular hospitalizations, clinic and emergency department visits, and medication dispensations for asthma and COPD."

"Children are more sensitive to the effects of wildfire smoke and children with asthma are one of the most vulnerable groups with regards to wildfire smoke exposure," said Dr. Nayak. "From our hospital data, we observed that Hispanic children with asthma in our community were affected with higher number of emergency department visits due to breathing problems during the wildfire season. We know that addressing health inequities proactively can help tremendously."

In response, Confluence Health launched a pediatric asthma disparity action project to provide every child asthma and restrictive airway disease patient with an action plan and education to help them prepare for smoke. The materials are available in English and Spanish.

"To date, this project has been very successful as we have started to develop these action plans by putting pen to paper and outlining what can be done, while also getting feedback along the way on how to improve," said Dr. Ellen Mateo, a pediatrician at Confluence Health and one of those on the project team. "We have also reached out to community organizations, such as CAFÉ and local health fairs, as a part of our education efforts. Additionally, we have made a concerted effort to regularly follow up with asthma patients to keep their plans up to date and their asthma under control."

"Wildfire smoke can be very hazardous, especially to the young, elderly, and those with lung disease," remarked Jill Gustafson, a pediatric outpatient case manager at Confluence Health and another member of the ongoing project. "There are ways to prepare ahead of time to minimize and control its negative impacts on your family's health. One of the most important steps is to contact your doctor's office for an appointment to review and manage your lung health before illness or smoke strikes. Be proactive. You can control your asthma, so don't let it control you!"

Residents can monitor air quality for their zip code at AirNow.gov and find information about lung health and protection at Lung.org. The Chelan-Douglas Health District website at CDHD.wa.gov provides local wildfire smoke resources, including how to make or obtain air filters and masks.