Wildfire smoke is linked to deaths in Latin American cities
A rapid review found associations with deaths from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease, but differences between studies prevented a pooled estimate.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The reviewed studies linked wildfire-derived fine particles with higher mortality in Latin American cities. However, the studies differed too much to combine their results into a single estimate. The abstract describes an association, while leaving uncertainty about its size across different cities, communities, and periods.
One reviewer screened and extracted the studies. Evidence was concentrated in Brazil, and substantial methodological differences limited comparisons. The reported associations do not establish causation.
What the review asked
Researchers examined whether exposure to fine particles from wildfires was associated with deaths and illness in cities. The included research mostly used time-series analyses or modelling, rather than testing an intervention.
Whose experience is missing?
The authors describe uneven coverage across places, periods, and population groups. They highlight limited attention to Indigenous and rural communities and to differences within cities connected with poverty and geography.
The original publication
Health effects of wildfire PM2.5 in Latin American cities: A rapid systematic review and comparative synthesis.
Malagón-Rojas J, Chen K
Biomedica · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41325566
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.