Grant: Catalyst Grant: CPHO Report - General Pool

Air pollution is a daily threat to the health of Canadians and remains persistently high due to climate change and inadequate emissions control regulations. Currently, one third of Canadians live in areas where they are regularly exposed to harmful levels of air pollution (as defined by Health Canada). The 3.8 million Canadians with asthma are particularly susceptible to the negative health impacts of air pollution, as several types of pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants (O3, NO2, and SO2), can cause asthma to develop, worsen asthma symptoms, and lead to asthma 'attacks.' Projections of the future burden of air pollution on Canadians with asthma and strategies to reduce this impact are currently unknown. Our project will meet this need through two objectives. In Objective 1, we will combine state-of-the-art air quality projections (2020-2036) with an existing simulation model that tracks the development of asthma in the entire Canadian population and its progression over a person's lifetime. We will project the number of people with asthma, days with asthma symptoms, asthma exacerbations and healthcare costs caused by changes to air quality over the next 16-years. In Objective 2, we will use this model to assess the value-for-money of a government distribution program of at-home portable air cleaners (which reduce exposure to PM2.5) in terms of its impact on overall costs, life expectancy, and quality of life. We will evaluate differences in health impacts and the value of air cleaners based on a person's age, sex, whether they have existing asthma, and the socio-economic characteristics of communities where the program could be implemented. To ensure our work is responsive to the needs of those most impacted by air pollution, our team is comprised of researchers, patients with asthma, and policy makers in government. Our research can ultimately help ensure we meet the urgent need to adapt to climate change in Canada.