A research collaboration at UVU, led by Dr. Heather Thiesset and Kevin McCarthy, was featured in the October edition of the Journal of Paramedic Practice. The study analyzed over 4.4 million EMS patient care reports to explore the impact of poor air quality on respiratory distress and emergency resource utilization.
A cross-college research collaboration at Utah Valley University is gaining attention after a study led by Dr. Heather Thiesset and Kevin McCarthy was featured as the cover story in the October edition of the Journal of Paramedic Practice.
Thiesset, an assistant professor in the Department of Health Sciences, and McCarthy, an associate professor in the Department of Emergency Services, co-authored the study titled “Respiratory Distress and Air Quality: Healthcare and Socioeconomic Implications.” The research analyzed more than 4.4 million emergency medical services patient care reports to examine how poor air quality affects respiratory distress incidents and EMS resource utilization.
The study found that on days with high air pollution levels, respiratory distress incidents increased by 9.5 percent, with a 12.2 percent rise among female patients. Less-invasive airway interventions, such as oxygen administration and nebulizer use, rose by 106.5 percent. The data also revealed that socially deprived communities were disproportionately affected, with a 16.7 percent increase in respiratory distress incidents in the most deprived areas.
The study’s implications are far-reaching. It calls for increased deployment of community paramedics to provide preventive care and education, especially on days with poor air quality. It also urges policymakers to consider environmental justice in addressing healthcare disparities.
This collaboration between Health Sciences and Emergency Services is a model for future research at UVU. It shows how faculty from different disciplines can come together to address complex challenges, improve community outcomes, and elevate the university’s reputation on a national stage.
“This study is a testament to what can be achieved when we break down silos and work together,” Thiesset said. “By combining our perspectives, we were able to uncover insights that can inform public health policy, EMS resource planning, and community education.”
McCarthy emphasized the value of student involvement in the research process.
“Our students were involved in every step of the project,” he said. “It not only enriched the research but also gave them invaluable experience in collaborative, applied science.”
As UVU continues to expand its healthcare and public service initiatives, partnerships like this one will be essential. They not only advance academic inquiry but also serve the university’s mission to foster engaged learning and community impact.
Participants pose at the annual Emergency Services Conference at Utah Valley University
Heather Thiesset – Assistant Professor, Department of Health Sciences
Kevin McCarthy – Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Services
