Protecting Young Children From the Impacts of Wildfires

Wildfire smoke is becoming an increasingly common part of childhood in many parts of the US. Over the last two decades, the frequency and intensity of “extreme” wildfires have more than doubled, and the smoke can travel thousands of miles, remaining highly toxic. This means that wildfires are a growing concern far beyond fire zones, with implications for the health and development of young children in both the short term and throughout their lifespan.

Watch our webinar to learn how wildfire smoke affects young children and how the LA Fire HEALTH Study is working to better understand its short- and long-term health impacts. The study addresses the need for answers in the LA community, with implications for many communities across the US that are increasingly navigating the effects of wildfire smoke. Panelists share emerging findings from the study and how these insights can guide efforts to reduce exposure, support children and caregivers, and protect healthy development—especially for those most affected by recent wildfires.

Panelists

Lindsey Burghardt, MD, MPH, FAAP

Dr. Lindsey Burghardt is the Chief Science Officer at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, where she develops and leads the Center’s scientific agenda. She is the founding director of the Center’s Early Childhood Scientific Council on Equity and the Environment, a multidisciplinary group that synthesizes and translates scientific mechanisms related to the many ways that the built and natural environments impact children’s development and lifelong health. 

Joseph G. Allen, DSc, MPH

Dr. Joseph G. Allen is an associate professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, director of Harvard’s Healthy Buildings Program, and co-author of Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Can Make You Sick—or Keep You Well.

Dr. Allen serves on Harvard’s Presidential Committee on Sustainability, he keynoted the White House’s first-ever Indoor Air Quality Summit, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, served as Commissioner of The Lancet COVID-19 Commission and Chair of its Safe Work, Safe Schools, and Safe Travel Task Force.

Sujeet Rao

Sujeet Rao currently serves at the University of Southern California as the Director of the Health and Wellbeing practice for Public Exchange, where he builds and manages enterprise partnerships to deliver research-based insights for local government agencies, major healthcare systems, Hollywood media companies, and more.