Patricia Matus warns that, given the advance of climate change, forest fires and their health impact will continue to increase.
The academic of the Faculty of Medicine Uandes, Patricia Matuswas distinguished with a publication in the leading scientific journal The Lancet Planetary Health of a global study in which she participated as an author.
The research in which the public health and epidemiology specialist participated warns that exposure to ozone (O₃) produced during forest fires increases the risk of mortality, especially from respiratory causes. The study analyzed data from 749 locations in 43 countries between 2000 and 2016.
The results indicate that for each increase in ozone related to wildfires, all-cause deaths rise by 0.55 %, while respiratory mortality rises by 0.82 %. For this reason, about 31,606 additional deaths from all causes per year and 4,657 from respiratory conditions are estimated.
In the publication also details that the highest ozone concentrations linked to forest fires were recorded in South America, Central America, Southeast Asia and South Africa.
The authors warn that, in the face of advancing climate change, forest fires and their health impact will continue to increase.
The report concludes that there is an urgent need to develop early warning strategies, smoke management and exposure reduction plans, as ozone can travel thousands of kilometers and affect regions far from the fire.
This article is also part of the results included in the Nature Index 2025which highlights the scientific production of excellence divided by institutions and countries, based on the publications of 145 selected journals.