A time-series analysis across 1,024 communities in seven countries or territories during 2000-2019 included 2.3 million infectious-disease-related sepsis hospitalizations. Each 10 micrograms/m3 increase in wildfire-specific PM2.5 was associated with a 1.5% increase in hospitalization risk (RR 1.015, 95% CI 1.007-1.024), nearly twice the reported non-wildfire estimate. Associations were strongest in children and adolescents.
Key findings
- A 10-micrograms/m3 increase was associated with 1.5% higher hospitalization risk. • The analysis pooled 2.3 million events across 1,024 communities. • Associations were especially strong below age 20.
Why this matters globally
The findings add infectious-disease outcomes to wildfire-smoke policy and support child-focused warnings, while remaining observational rather than causal.
Thai researcher contribution
Mahidol University researchers contribute environmental-health expertise to a large international data network.
Limitations to consider
Exposure was modeled rather than individually measured; explicit ICD sepsis codes may miss cases, and area-level residual confounding remains possible.