What’s in an Index? The AQI and Kids with Dr. Rosser

Dr Franziska J. Rosser  is a lung doctor for children at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and an asthma researcher. She has studied the impact of the Air Quality Index on hospitalization of children. Many doctors concerned about air quality struggle with how to balance advice to get outside and exercise with concern about ensuring we don’t overdose ourselves or our families on pollution, which we often cannot see or smell. If you have struggled with this, this is the episode for you! We discuss honestly what is known and what is unknown about the AQI, and how to navigate the uncertainty.

To Do: (Especially members of the Twitchy Airways Club)

1- Download the AirNow app or become familiar with AirNow.Gov.

2- Pay attention to the AQI, and when it is in the yellow or orange category and you or your child is active outside, pay attention to whether you or your child coughs more in the days following. Discuss your observations with your doctor or your child’s pediatrician.

3- Learn more about redlining and impacts by listening to the podcast with Vivek Shandas.

4- Listen about one person’s story with asthma growing up in a previously red-lined district by listening to Ashia Allen, a patient of mine.

5- If you smoke and have kids, do what you can to quit! If you need help, you can find more in the resources on this post, or by listening to the podcast episode with Brandy Carpenter.

6- Donate to the American Thoracic Society, working to fund important research about air quality and health.

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