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Articles by John Balmes
Impacts of land use and fallowing on coccidioidomycosis incidence in California: A population-based longitudinal study
Abstract INTRODUCTION RESULTS DISCUSSION MATERIALS AND METHODS Acknowledgments Supplementary Materials REFERENCES Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) is a growing public health concern in the western U.S., with California reporting more than an eightfold rise in cases over the past two decades.
How Trump’s EPA could impact air quality in California — and your health
The San Francisco skyline is visible from the Marin Headlands through the hazy skies on Aug. 30, 2023. Bay Area air quality will likely get worse after policy changes at the EPA. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle “What health risk scares you most?” Physicians often get asked things like that by friends, family and everyday acquaintances. It’s a valid question. After all, doctors are on the front lines and often see the extremes of human health.
Examining air pollution exposure dynamics in disadvantaged communities through high-resolution mapping
Icon version of the Flipboard logo Boise 11 hours ago The air quality forecast was ‘moderate.’ So why is the Boise area such a smoky mess? idahostatesman.com - By Carolyn Komatsoulis • 11h Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality predicted a level of yellow, or “moderate,” air quality for Wednesday in the Treasure Valley.
Long-term air pollution exposure and the risk of primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation
Abstract Background: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) contributes substantially to both short and long-term mortality after lung transplantation but the mechanisms that lead to PGD are not well understood. Exposure to ambient air pollutants is associated with adverse events during waitlisting for lung transplantation, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction but its association with PGD has not been studied.
Exposure to Burn Pit Emissions and Respiratory Diseases?
In addition to casualties, wars create large quantities of waste. The US military used open pits to burn waste of all types—so-called burn pits—during conflicts in the Middle Eastern and Southwest Asian theaters of operations. After deployment to these theaters, a considerable number of veterans reported symptoms, primarily but not exclusively respiratory, that they attributed to exposure to burn pit emissions.
Invited Perspective: Longitudinal Follow-up of a Household Air Pollution Trial in a Birth Cohort Yields an Impactful Finding
High systolic blood pressure (BP) is a leading risk factor in the latest Global Burden of Disease comparative risk factor analysis, accounting for ∼11 million deaths and 9% of all disability-adjusted life years.1 Household air pollution (HAP) from domestic combustion of solid fuels for cooking and heating is also an important risk factor, with >2.3 million attributable deaths, a substantial portion due to cardiovascular conditions (e.g., ischemic heart disease and stroke).2 Because at least...
Air Pollution and Atopic Dermatitis, from Molecular Mechanisms to Population-Level Evidence: A Review
Abstract : Atopic dermatitis (AD) has increased in prevalence to become the most common inflammatory skin condition globally, and geographic variation and migration studies suggest an important role for environmental triggers. Air pollution, especially due to industrialization and wildfires, may contribute to the development and exacerbation of AD.
The Protective Value of Barrier Face Coverings After COVID-19
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Heart doctors say: Move it!
A vigorous heart is always essential, especially with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Amid quarantine restrictions, health protocols and the new normal set up, many people have become physically inactive, doing things at their own pace at a bare minimum. Those with heart disease and other medical conditions are at greater risk for developing severe symptoms and complications of Covid-19. Healthcare professionals are calling for various initiatives focusing on a heart-healthy lifestyle.
The clear and persistent impact of air pollution on chronic respiratory diseases: a call for interventions
Isabella Annesi-Maesano, Francesco Forastiere, John Balmes, Erika Garcia, Jack Harkema, Stephen Holgate, Frank Kelly, Haneen Khreis, Barbara Hoffmann, Cara Nichole Maesano, Rob McConnell, David Peden, Kent Pinkerton, Tamara Schikowski, George Thurston, Laura S. Van Winkle, Christopher Carlsten European Respiratory Journal 2021 57: 2002981; DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02981-2020 Abstract Air pollution is responsible for chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases.
Excess mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic among Californians 18-65 years of age, by occupational sector and occupation: March through October 2020 | medRxiv
Yea-Hung Chen, Maria Glymour, Alicia Riley, John Balmes, Kate Duchowny, Robert Harrison, Ellicott Matthay, Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.21.21250266 Abstract Background Though SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks have been documented in occupational settings and though there is speculation that essential workers face heightened risks for COVID-19, occupational differences in excess mortality have, to date, not been examined.
The Changing Nature of Wildfires
Keywords Wildfire Smoke Public health Particulate matter To read this article in full you will need to make a payment Subscribe to Clinics in Chest Medicine References Balmes J.R. Where there’s wildfire, there’s smoke. N Engl J Med. 2018; 378: 881-883 Westerling A.L. Increasing western US forest wildfire activity: sensitivity to changes in the timing of spring. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2016; 371: 20150178 NIFC National interagency coordination center - fire statistics.
Health effects of wildfire smoke in children and public health tools: a narrative review
Abstract Wildfire smoke is an increasing environmental health threat to which children are particularly vulnerable, for both physiologic and behavioral reasons. To address the need for improved public health messaging this review summarizes current knowledge and knowledge gaps in the health effects of wildfire smoke in children, as well as tools for public health response aimed at children, including consideration of low-cost sensor data, respirators, and exposures in school environments.
A call for a moratorium on the sale of inhalable products
The work of our lungs is absolutely essential for the health of our bodies. While the whole world is focusing on protecting our lungs from failing us during the COVID-19 pandemic, we urge a moratorium on the sale of all inhalable products, like cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vape pens, and respectfully request current smokers to try to quit.
Opinion: Coal dust and COVID-19 in Richmond a deadly combination Original
Breaking News Coronavirus cases down as Californians must wear face masks in public The coronavirus pandemic has hit Richmond hard. It has caused more cases of COVID-19 and more deaths than in other cities in Contra Costa County like Concord or Walnut Creek. Dr. John Balmes Why? Richmond is a city that has large Latinx and African-American populations, the groups we know are at most risk of dying from COVID-19.
Cardiopulmonary Impact of Particulate Air Pollution in High-Risk Populations: JACC State-of-the-Art Review
Abstract Fine particulate air pollution <2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) is a major environmental threat to global public health. Multiple national and international medical and governmental organizations have recognized PM2.5 as a risk factor for cardiopulmonary diseases. A growing body of evidence indicates that several personal-level approaches that reduce exposures to PM2.5 can lead to improvements in health endpoints.
Balmes: Shortage of masks is proof of negligence
JOHN R. BALMES JOHN R. BALMES IS A PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT UC SAN FRANCISCO. April 10, 2020, 12:01AM The "Follow This Story" feature will notify you when any articles related to this story are posted. When you follow a story, the next time a related article is published — it could be days, weeks or months — you'll receive an email informing you of the update. If you no longer want to follow a story, click the "Unfollow" link on that story.
Opinion | Mask shortages are outrageous. The federal government needs to do better.
As a physician and scientist who knows a lot about respiratory personal protective gear, I have been outraged about the severe shortages of the proper N95 masks that health-care workers on the front lines of the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic should be wearing. Doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and others — especially those over 50 — who are caring for patients who have or may have covid-19 must be protected from becoming infected themselves.
Ozone effects on blood biomarkers of systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial function, and thrombosis: The Multicenter Ozone Study in oldEr Subjects (MOSES)
Loading metrics Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article John R. Balmes, Mehrdad Arjomandi, Philip A. Bromberg, Maria G. Costantini, Nicholas Dagincourt, Milan J. Hazucha, Danielle Hollenbeck-Pringle, David Q. Rich, Paul Stark, Mark W. Frampton John R. Balmes, Mehrdad Arjomandi, Philip A. Bromberg, Maria G. Costantini, Nicholas Dagincourt, Milan J. Hazucha, Danielle Hollenbeck-Pringle, David Q. Rich, Paul Stark, Mark W.
Health implications of redlining practices highlight need for reparations
In June, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated, “I don’t think reparations for something that happened 150 years ago — for whom none of us currently living are responsible — is a good idea.” Here, McConnell is assuming that social norms and institutional practices established during the time of slavery have been fully dismantled, that the systematic oppression of people of color has been fully eradicated and therefore requires no restitution.
Health Benefits of Air Pollution Reduction
Air pollution is a grave risk to human health (1). Ambient air pollution is by far the most important environmental risk factor for morbidity and mortality (2), and household air pollution follows closely (3). Air pollution affects nearly every organ in the body, causing or contributing to many illnesses (4, 5). Poor air quality is a challenge facing all people on the planet, with the greatest risk being for those most heavily exposed. Most air pollution is preventable.
Household air pollution from domestic combustion of solid fuels and health
To view the full text, please login as a subscribed user or purchase a subscription. Click here to view the full text on ScienceDirect. Fig 1 Traditional open 3-stone fire in a rural village home in the western highlands of Guatemala, where kitchen 48-hour PM2.5 levels are in the range of 600 to 1200 μg/m3.
Opinion | Don’t Let a Killer Pollutant Loose
The Trump administration is moving to ease standards on a particularly deadly air contaminant. By John Balmes Dr. Balmes is a medical professor and member of the California Air Resources Board. April 14, 2019 PM 2.5 kills people. There has been little dispute that microscopic particulate matter in air pollution penetrates into the deepest parts of the lungs and contributes to the early deaths each year of thousands of people in the United States with heart and lung disease.
Staying Safe When Air Is Polluted by Wildfires
The following is a letter coauthored by John Balmes, MD, Kirk R. Smith, PhD, and Ajay Pillarisetti, PhD, in November 2018 during the devastating Camp Fire wildfire in Northern California, which led to dangerously high levels of particulate pollutants in the air in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Berkeley. All three authors are experts in air pollution and faculty members at the School of Public Health (SPH) at UC Berkeley; Drs.
Air Pollution and Noncommunicable Diseases
Majkowska-Wojciechowska B. Pelka J. Korzon L. et al. Prevalence of allergy, patterns of allergic sensitization and allergy risk factors in rural and urban children. Allergy. 2007; 62: 1044-1050 Patel M.M. Quinn J.W. Jung K.H. et al. Traffic density and stationary sources of air pollution associated with wheeze, asthma, and immunoglobulin E from birth to age 5 years among New York City children. Environ Res. 2011; 111: 1222-1229 Deng Q. Lu C. Yu Y. Li Y. Sundell J. Norback D.
Prenatal high molecular weight phthalates and bisphenol A, and childhood respiratory and allergic outcomes
Asthma and allergy prevalence is increasing in United States children. In utero exposure to chemicals used in personal care products and plastics may contribute to increase in these diseases. We quantified urinary concentrations of eight phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A in mothers twice during pregnancy in 1999‐2000 in Salinas, California.
Prenatal high molecular weight phthalates and bisphenol A, and childhood respiratory and allergic outcomes
Abstract Background The prevalence of asthma and allergy is increasing in US children. In utero exposure to chemicals used in personal care products and plastics may contribute to increase in these diseases. Methods We quantified urinary concentrations of eight phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A in mothers twice during pregnancy in 1999‐2000 in Salinas, California.
Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke and Ash: Lessons From California
Robert Glatter, MD: Hello. I'm Dr Robert Glatter, assistant professor of emergency medicine at Northwell Health and attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. The year 2017 was particularly devastating for California.
Where There’s Wildfire, There’s Smoke
With the undeniable march of climate change, the danger of catastrophic wildfires is increasing around the globe, with such fires occurring in Australia, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Portugal, and Russia, as well as the United States, over the past decade. Large forest fires in the western United States have been nearly five times as frequent on an annual basis as they were 50 years ago. These fires are burning more land area and lasting much longer.
Cooking behaviors are related to household particulate matter exposure in children with asthma in the urban East Bay Area of Northern California
Statistical models Statistical analyses were performed using the statistical language R. [37] A spreadsheet of summarized and de-identified data are available in S1 Table. Monthly summary measures of PM2.5 exposure in the household were compared between households with and without smokers using Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests (using wilcox.test from base R) because the data were markedly skewed.
Outdoor air pollution and asthma
1. Lim SS, Vos T, Flaxman AD, et al. A comparative risk assessment of burden of disease and injury attributable to 67 risk factors and risk factor clusters in 21 regions, 1990–2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet. 2012;380:2224–60. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 2. Brauer M, Amann M, Burnett RT, et al. Exposure assessment for estimation of the global burden of disease attributable to outdoor air pollution. Environ Sci Technol. 2012;46:652–60.
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