Health-Related Economic Burden of Wildfire-Specific PM2.5

Wildfire smoke is a growing health threat, but its economic costs are not well understood. This thesis examines how smoke-related PM2.5 affects deaths, hospital admissions, hospital costs, and length of stay across multiple countries. Using large health datasets and causal statistical methods, it estimates the burden attributable to wildfire smoke and shows that traditional approaches may underestimate these impacts. It also shows that poor access to healthcare can increase smoke-related losses. Overall, the thesis provides evidence to support better smoke preparedness, health-system planning, and climate adaptation.