As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense, the health toll on vulnerable communities is becoming harder to ignore. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has repeatedly blanketed the Midwest and Northeast, triggering asthma, lung disease, and even lung cancer. But not everyone breathes the same air—or bears the same burden.
Low-income communities and people of color are disproportionately exposed to poor air quality. Many live in urban heat islands, where concrete traps heat and worsens smog. These neighborhoods often lack tree cover and green space, compounding respiratory risks. “An AQI of 150 is equivalent to smoking seven cigarettes a day,” the article notes, and such levels are not uncommon in exposed areas.
Standard advice—stay indoors, use air filters, wear N95 masks—is often out of reach. Nearly half of Americans spend over 30% of their income on rent, and one-quarter spend more than half. For those without stable housing, escaping wildfire smoke is nearly impossible. Pregnant individuals who are unhoused face higher risks of preterm birth and low birthweight babies.
Access to health care is another barrier. Underserved populations often lack insurance, live far from medical facilities, and rely on emergency departments for care. These disparities are rooted in historical injustices like redlining, which left Black Americans with significantly lower homeownership rates than white Americans.
To protect these communities, the article calls for affordable housing, equitable health care access, and systemic reforms. Without action, wildfire smoke will continue to fuel a public health crisis.
See: “Wildfire smoke exacerbates health disparities” (September 12, 2025)
