Air Quality

Emory University and Georgia Tech University have partnered with the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation (DFWHC Foundation) to research how air quality affects emergency room (ER) usage. Emory has been conducting research on air quality and ER usage since 1990 with a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. They have ER usage data from Atlanta and St. Louis and have compared the information to the city air quality reports. Dallas and Fort Worth are next in line for the research.

Most of us would predict respiratory problems to be the main problem ERs see with poor air quality. However, cardiovascular diseases are also a problem. Researchers are now considering whether those with chronic issues such as diabetes may have more acute conditions related to air quality. Air quality could very well be the last straw for a person in poor health.

Working with Emory, the DFWHC Foundation will give North Texas a clear picture on air quality effects compared to Atlanta or St Louis. Such research will reveal whether or not high populations of uninsured residents put a greater burden on ERs during poor air quality days; busy transportation increases the severity of poor air quality days; certain populations have increased health risks during poor air quality days. This research will provide answers for those questions and many others not yet considered.

Pam Doughty
pdoughty@dfwhcfoundation.org