Slavik Catherine E, Chapman Daniel A, Smith Hollie, Coughlan Michael, Peters Ellen
Center for Science Communication Research, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, United States of America.
Ecosystem Workforce Program, Institute for Resilient Organizations, Communities, and Environments, University of Oregon, United States of America.
Environ Res Commun. 2024 Jul 1;6(7):075001. doi: 10.1088/2515-7620/ad5931.
. Wildfire smoke events are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. Children are especially vulnerable to health effects even at moderate smoke levels. However, it is unclear how parents respond to Air Quality Indices (AQIs) frequently used by agencies to communicate air pollution health risks. . In an experiment (3 × 2 × 2 factorial design), 2,100 parents were randomly assigned to view one of twelve adapted AQI infographics that varied by visual (table, line, gauge), index type (AQI [0-500], AQHI [1-11+]), and risk level (moderate, high). Participants were told to imagine encountering the infographic in a short-term exposure scenario. They reported worry about wildfire smoke, intentions to take risk-mitigating actions (e.g., air purifier use), and support for various exposure reduction policies. Subsequently, participants were told to imagine encountering the same infographic daily during a school week in a long-term exposure scenario and again reported worry, action intentions, and policy support. . Parents' responses significantly differentiated between risk levels that both pose a threat to children's health; worry and action intentions were much higher in the high-risk group than the moderate-risk group in both short-exposure (F = 748.68 p<.001; F = 411.59, p<.001) and long-exposure scenarios (F = 470.51, p<.001; F = 212.01, p<.001). However, in the short-exposure scenario, when shown the AQHI [1-11+] with either the line or gauge visuals, parents' action intentions were more similar between moderate- and high-risk level groups (3-way interaction, F = 6.03, p = .002). . These results suggest some index formats such as the AQHI-rather than the AQI-may better attune parents to moderate levels of wildfire smoke being dangerous to children's health. Our research offers insights for agencies and officials seeking to improve current public education efforts during wildfire smoke events and speaks to the critical need to educate parents and help them act short-term and long-term to protect children's health.
由于气候变化，野火烟雾事件的频率和强度正在增加。即使在烟雾水平适中的情况下，儿童也特别容易受到健康影响。然而，目前尚不清楚家长如何应对机构常用的空气质量指数（AQI），这些指数用于传达空气污染对健康的风险。
在一项实验（3×2×2析因设计）中，2100名家长被随机分配观看十二种改编后的AQI信息图表中的一种，这些图表在视觉形式（表格、折线、仪表盘）、指数类型（AQI[0-500]、AQHI[1-11+]）和风险水平（中度、高度）上有所不同。参与者被告知想象在短期接触情景中遇到该信息图表。他们报告了对野火烟雾的担忧、采取减轻风险行动的意图（如使用空气净化器）以及对各种减少接触政策的支持。随后，参与者被告知想象在上学周的长期接触情景中每天遇到相同的信息图表，并再次报告担忧、行动意图和政策支持。
家长的反应在对儿童健康都构成威胁的风险水平之间存在显著差异；在短期接触（F = 748.68，p<.001；F = 411.59，p<.001）和长期接触情景中（F = 470.51，p<.001；F = 212.01，p<.001），高风险组的担忧和行动意图都远高于中度风险组。然而，在短期接触情景中，当展示带有折线或仪表盘视觉形式的AQHI[1-11+]时，中度和高风险水平组家长的行动意图更为相似（三因素交互作用，F = 6.03，p =.002）。
这些结果表明，某些指数形式，如AQHI，而非AQI，可能会让家长更好地认识到中度水平的野火烟雾对儿童健康是危险的。我们的研究为寻求在野火烟雾事件期间改进当前公众教育工作的机构和官员提供了见解，并表明迫切需要教育家长并帮助他们采取短期和长期行动来保护儿童健康。
