This Grand Rounds explains how regulation of fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) has produced substantial public‑health improvements in the United States and why weakening those standards risks reversing those gains. The session briefly reviews PM₂.₅ sources, health effects, and the regulatory history behind observed declines in pollution and disease. Evidence projecting the consequences of relaxed standards is then discussed with respect to widened exposure and health inequities in historically marginalized communities, and higher health‑care utilization and costs that disproportionately strain safety‑net providers. The presentation concludes with potential policy actions to prevent harm, mitigate inequities, and support evidence‑based air‑quality protections.
Learning Objectives: After this webinar, attendees will be able to:
Understand sources of PM₂.₅ exposure and the historical trajectory of U.S. PM₂.₅ regulation.
Describe how weakening PM₂.₅ standards would disproportionately increase exposure and adverse health outcomes in historically marginalized communities.
Explain projected impacts of relaxed PM₂.₅ standards on health, health care use, costs, and health-system capacity.
Shreepada Tripathy, MD, MBA, MS-SA, FAAP, FHM, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Originally from Texas, Dr Tripathy completed his pediatrics residency at the University of Louisville in 2014 after earning his medical degree from Marshall University in 2011. He has also earned his Masters in Business Administration and his Master of Science in Strategic Analytics, both from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. Dr Tripathy is a pediatric hospitalist, as well as a data scientist and health equity strategist. Double board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in General Pediatrics and in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, he is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Academic Pediatric Association, and the Society of Pediatric Hospital Medicine.
Dr. Tripathy also serves as the President of the Sangamon County Medical Society, where he is very active in state-level advocacy.
Event start time: 12:00 pm
Event end time: 01:00 pm