Respiratory distress and air quality: healthcare and socioeconomic implications

Introduction: Air pollution is well known to cause respiratory distress. However, data on how it affects the use of emergency medical services (EMS) are limited. Aim: Prehospital data were analysed to better understand the burden of poor air quality. Methods: A retrospective convenience sample of de-identified national EMS patient care reports was examined. Descriptive analyses were conducted based on patient characteristics, provisional diagnoses, severity, social deprivation and pollution levels. Results: On days when air quality was poorest, respiratory distress incidents were 9.5% higher (up 12.2% in women), 6.6% more patients were taken to hospital and less-invasive airway interventions were 106.5% higher. Higher rates of respiratory distress incidents were associated with more deprived areas. Conclusion: Poor air quality raises the demand for EMS because of respiratory distress, especially in deprived communities. Understanding this will enable measures to prevent and prepare for medical complications occurring on the days of greatest pollution and protect community health.