Great Ormond Street to Look at Home Air Pollution when Diagnosing Illnesses

Great Ormond Street Hospital has pioneered a groundbreaking initiative involving clinicians assessing patient's illnesses by considering their home addresses' air pollution levels. In response to the tragic case of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, where air pollution was listed as a cause of death, this pilot scheme embeds average annual air pollution rates in patients' electronic files. This data, encompassing PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide, serves as a trigger for clinicians, fostering awareness about potential air pollution-related illness factors. The initiative aims to bridge the knowledge gap, educating both medical staff and families on the health risks posed by air pollution. By incorporating air pollution data, clinicians can guide families in minimizing exposure and safeguarding children's health proactively. This pioneering step could prompt wider adoption across healthcare practices, promoting informed conversations and strategies to mitigate air pollution's adverse health effects.