Hajat and Casey Interviewed by The Seattle Medium on Wildfire Smoke Effects on Vulnerable Communities

Posted: 2026-09-02 12:30:00 ()

CSDE Affiliates Anjum Hajat (Epidemiology) and Joan Casey (Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences/Epidemiology) were recently interviewed by The Seattle Medium for an article titled, “Wildfire Smoke Poses Greater Health Risks For Washington’s Most Vulnerable Communities.” Dr. Hajat and Dr. Casey are quoted extensively throughout the article discussing the continuous wildfire smoke impacting Washington State. Exposure to smoke can affect more than the lungs, with research linking it to respiratory and cardiovascular problems and emerging concerns about mental health. Children, older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and outdoor workers are some of the most vulnerable communities who can face heightened risks. Those risks can be compounded in communities already exposed to higher levels of air pollution, including parts of South Seattle where residents live near highways, industrial activity, and the airport. To read more about Dr. Hajat and Dr. Casey’s findings, visit this link to read the full article.