Wildfire Smoke Exposure Poses Risks for Pregnant Women and Infants in U.S. Communities with Limited Healthcare Access

A recent study highlights a critical gap in the U.S. healthcare system's ability to address the needs of pregnant individuals and infants affected by wildfire smoke. Researchers from the University of Maryland, led by Michel Boudreaux, Ph.D., found that communities most exposed to wildfire smoke often face significant healthcare resource shortages, including limited access to obstetric and neonatal care. Wildfire smoke plumes can travel vast distances, impacting nearly every community in the country, regardless of proximity to active fires. This exposure has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, and cardiovascular issues, although comprehensive research on its effects on pregnant people remains limited.

The study analyzed satellite data on wildfire smoke, combined with demographic and healthcare resource information from 2016 to 2020. Findings revealed that high-risk counties experienced an average of over 15 smoke-days per year, with the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies being particularly affected. Approximately 7 million women of reproductive age and over 460,000 infants live in these high-risk areas. These communities also face substantial healthcare shortages: many lack sufficient OB-GYNs, and residents often need to travel long distances to reach maternity and neonatal care facilities.

Despite adjustments for sociodemographic factors such as race, poverty, and rurality, high smoke exposure areas still exhibited pronounced resource gaps. The authors emphasize that public health interventions like providing air filtration devices, creating clean air refuges, and distributing protective equipment are vital. They also stress the importance for policymakers and clinicians to recognize and address these disparities, especially as climate change may increase wildfire incidence and smoke exposure.

This research underscores the urgent need for targeted strategies to protect vulnerable populations and ensure access to essential perinatal healthcare in the face of increasing environmental hazards.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-pregnant-people-infants-communities-prone.html