Arizona’s climate helps make it the fourth fastest growing state in the country. But a population surge during the past 20 years, coupled with unique geography, can also foster negative social determinants of health (SDOH).
SDOH are often at the forefront in helping patients navigate his or her individual health challenges, as well as building preventative plans toward helping individual and population health. Finances, location, diet, safety, transportation and education are among a patient’s primary factors for SDOH.
In Arizona, air quality is also high on the list, especially during summer months among vulnerable and at-risk populations within Maricopa and Pinal counties.
Consider: Ozone pollution levels have reportedly declined within the Phoenix metropolitan area in recent years, yet the American Lung Association determined Phoenix is the seventh-most ozone-polluted metro area in the country.
The University of Arizona’s College of Public Health cited several health conditions which correlate to air quality and pollution, including:
- Accelerated aging in lungs
- Cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses
- Chest pain
- Development of long-term conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema
- Dry throat
- Headache
- Nausea
- Overall decreased lung function
- Reduced lung capacity
- Reduced resistance to infections
- Shortened lifespan
Air quality’s health effects — whether from a pre-existing condition, regular exposure to smoke, dust, pollutants, or simply from regular exposure to outdoor pollutants for long periods of time — can be more than a coughing nuisance to your patients.
An Annual Wellness Visit is an excellent opportunity to engage in conversations with patients about their health goals through the remainder of 2019 and beyond. This annual, no-cost visit with patients is a helpful starting point to both ask and answer questions surrounding SDOH, including indoor/outdoor air quality and any breathing-related concerns.
If you have any questions about the Annual Wellness Visit or wish to take advantage of one or more of these options, please contact your Clinical Performance Consultant or email practicetransformation@azcarenetwork.org.
