Q In 2020, you published a paper that studied the links between exposure to ozone, heat, and fine particulate matter, and adverse birth outcomes, like preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth. What did you find in that analysis?
A Well, the most important finding in that analysis is that there is consistent results throughout the United States. We really started this research in California in 2010 when our study on temperature and preterm delivery was published, and since then we've seen so much consistency throughout other parts of the U.S. in terms of not just associations with fine particulate matter, ozone, and heat exposure, And the adverse birth outcomes, but also the vulnerable subgroups that are most impacted. And I think, again, that's the most important thing to look at the vulnerable subgroups to really identify the highest risk groups. And, you know, while we consider all pregnant women to be at highest risk or a high risk group, um, really we have to also consider that there are, um, certain women such as By race, ethnicity, black women, or, um, asthmatic, um, mothers or pregnant people who are at even higher risk.
AI assessment note: “most important finding in that analysis is that there is consistent results throughout the United States”