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John Daley ReportingA new study puts Salt Lake in the top 50 worst cities when it comes to respiratory infections. That ranking may be connected to the unhealthy air generated during our smoggy inversions.
This new study looked at several factors including the prevalence of respiratory tract infections, which can be triggered by poor air quality. The study ranked Salt Lake 24th worst.
When it comes to respiratory infections, cities like Nashville, Birmingham and Oklahoma City topped a new list by the website Sperling'sBestPlaces. Though the West fared better than other regions, Salt Lake came in at 24th on the list, which compared prevalence of respiratory infections, prescriptions written for them and statewide level of antibiotic resistance.
Bert Sperling, Study Author: "A recent Harris Interactive poll said that over 40% of all physician visits involved respiratory infections, so this is a major problem this time of year."
One possible factor for Salt Lake's ranking is air pollution. BYU researcher Arden Pope specializes in the impact of air quality on health.
Arden Pope, BYU Economist: "On average, when air pollution gets higher, especially during these winter months, during inversions, you see substantially increased admissions for hospitalizations and this is especially true for pediatric respiratory admissions."
Pope cautions that the study's findings may be skewed because of Utah's relatively larger youth population. Also, he says, without so many smokers Utah has a relatively low rate of exposure to tobacco smoke. Still, he says many studies, including his own, have linked smog with respiratory trouble.
Arden Pope, BYU Economist: "Air pollution is clearly associated with many of these respiratory illnesses that they're looking at. And that's especially true of bronchitis, broncilitis, as well as exacerbation of asthma."
There are a number of steps you can take to prevent respiratory infections.
Dr. B Chandler May, Otolaryngologist: "I think we can focus on prevention with adequate hand washing, good hygiene, consider the bacterial vaccines that are available."
Again, to prevent respiratory infections, you should practice good basic hygiene, including hand washing, staying home when you're sick,and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Also, get vaccinated and consult your doctor about what medications or antibiotics, if any, you might want to use.
