Social Considerations: Health, Economics, and Risk Communication

Abstract

At a fundamental level, smoke from wildland fire is of scientific concern because of its potential adverse effects on human health and social well-being. Although many impacts (e.g., evacuations, property loss) occur primarily in proximity to the actual fire, smoke can end up having a significant social impact far from the source. This dynamic, combined with lengthening fire seasons, suggests that understanding how wildland fire smoke affects diverse social values will be increasingly critical. This chapter reviews the existing scientific knowledge related to wildland fire smoke with respect to four topic areas: human health, economics, social acceptability, and risk communication. The broadest existing knowledge base, regarding the health effects attributed to wildland fire smoke exposure, stems from decades of research on the health effects of exposures to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Despite the potential consequences, scientific knowledge about chronic health effects, economic impacts, and effectiveness of protective actions in response to wildfire smoke risk communication is fairly limited. The chapter concludes with identification of (1) key areas where the need for more empirical information is most critical, and (2) challenges that inhibit an improved scientific understanding.

The 2023 report of the MJA–Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: sustainability needed in Australia's health care sector

“…Bushfires can significantly impact human health, directly or indirectly, through direct exposure to fires or from the smoke emitted by the burnt landscape 24,25 . Mental health and wellbeing are also greatly affected, as people live through traumatic experiences such as the threat of the potential loss of life and property.…”

Comunicación de riesgo para la salud por crisis sanitaria de COVID-19

“…La comunicación de riesgos se puede categorizar según el tema tratado, pero considerando que es un método para educar a las personas de que están frente a un riesgo inminente (Organización Panamericana de la Salud, 2011; Gochfeld, 2022), se utiliza la comunicación como elemento integrador a través de los cuales se implementan y desarrollan un conjunto de planes y programas para asistir al colectivo social en el enfrentamiento de los riesgos percibidos (Rosas & Barrios, 2017). Según la Organización Mundial de la Salud, la comunicación de riesgos para la salud se correlaciona con la confianza, los anuncios tempranos, la transparencia, la escucha de la población y la planificación (Gómez, 2017;McCaffrey et al, 2022).…”