Investigation of the Relationship between Healthcare Access and Air Quality Conditions in Guatemala

In various low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), lack of access to quality healthcare remains a persistent challenge. For populations living in third-world countries, the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) — including economic stability, access to and quality of education, access to and quality of healthcare, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context —play a pivotal role in shaping health outcomes. While the relationship between economic factors and healthcare access has been well known and extensively studied, there is a lack of research on environmental contributors, particularly air quality, and their impact on healthcare access for people living in low-income countries. This study examines the influence of environmental conditions, particularly air quality, on healthcare access and respiratory health in Guatemala. The study focuses on fuels, including exposure to Carbon Monoxide (CO), a prevalent pollutant. The data was collected through a CO-level logger for six days and a structured survey of 50 individuals visiting our temporary medical facility operated by a medical volunteer team. Findings reveal that a significant number of participants report symptoms caused by air pollution, such as coughing, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, while exhibiting limited awareness of the relationship between household air pollution and health. More than half of the participants reported using firewood for cooking, indicating the significant burden of environmental and health effects. This paper highlights the need for public health strategies that address environmental exposures with health education and development in accessible resource settings.