In this episode of The Environmentalist Nurse, Dr. LaDonna Gaines speaks with Mia, a registered nurse in southeast Michigan whose work and education sit at the intersection of adult oncology nursing, public health, environmental health, and sustainable food systems. Whether you are a nurse, public health professional, student, or simply interested in the relationship between people, place, and health, this conversation offers an encouraging look at how nursing can help create healthier communities and a healthier planet. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Organizations and Resources Recommended by Mia: Organizations: The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action, Health Care Without Harm, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Public Health Awakened Books: Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Davis, all about love by bell hooks, Essentials of Health Justice by Elizabeth Tobin-Tyler and Joel B. Teitelbaum, Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution, and Residential Mobility by Dr. Doreceta Taylor Podcasts: Living Planet, Indigenous Earth, Discarded, America Dissected, 1619, Science Friday, Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), This Podcast Will Kill You, Lost Women of Science How to Get In Touch with Mia: By email: mia@envirn.org ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Apply to the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environment's (ANHE) Fellowship ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sources & Further Reading Local & Regional Coverage Detroit Health Department Offers Updated Guidance as Air Quality Improves but Wildfire Smoke Lingers — City of Detroit — Official update on local air quality conditions and health precautions as Canadian wildfire smoke persisted in the region. Your Health and Wildfire Smoke — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services — State guidance on protecting yourself and your family from wildfire smoke exposure. Health Effects & Air Quality Basics How Wildfires Affect Health — American Lung Association — Overview of the respiratory and cardiovascular health risks tied to wildfire smoke exposure. What Makes Air Unhealthy? Particle Pollution — American Lung Association — Explains particle pollution (PM2.5/PM10) and why it's harmful to breathe. AQI Basics — AirNow.gov (EPA) — Official breakdown of the Air Quality Index scale, categories, and color codes. Effects of Wildfires on Health — CDC — Federal guidance connecting climate change, wildfire risk, and public health impacts. Preparedness & Protection Wildfires: Prepare, Plan, Stay Safe — Ready.gov (FEMA/DHS) — General preparedness guidance for wildfire events. 6 Ways to Reduce Exposure to Wildfire Smoke — Dyson — Practical tips for reducing indoor smoke exposure, including HEPA filtration and mask guidance. Climate Connection & Mitigation Fighting Wildfires is Getting Harder-These Tips Could Help — DW (Deutsche Welle) — Explores the climate-wildfire link and solutions including Indigenous land management practices. Five Smart Ways to Reduce Wildfire Risk Before the Blaze Begins — PreventionWeb (UNDRR) — Covers fire-resilient building design, firefighter training, early-detection tech, Indigenous/prescribed burning practices, and goat grazing as prevention strategies. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with The Environmentalist Nurse If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a rating and review, and sharing the podcast with a friend or colleague. Every share helps expand the conversation around environmental health and empowers more people to protect both human health and the planet. You can also connect with me through The Environmentalist Nurse Collective for environmental health education, podcast updates, and healthcare writing services. Email: admin@theenvironmentalistnurse.com This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you have concerns about wildfire exposure or your health, speak with your healthcare professional.
