How wildfire smoke affects aging in older adults

Successful Aging in a Time of Wildfires

NIH-funded research New York University · NIH-10707237

This study is looking at how breathing in smoke from wildfires affects the health and daily lives of older adults in California, and it’s inviting 1,000 seniors to help understand these effects better.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10707237 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of wildfire smoke exposure on the health and well-being of older adults living in California. It aims to understand how both chronic and acute exposure to smoke from wildfires affects physical health, cognitive function, and social behaviors in this population. The study will recruit a diverse group of 1,000 community-dwelling older adults and will utilize a multidisciplinary approach, including measuring air quality and assessing biological changes in participants. By examining these factors, the research seeks to uncover the broader implications of environmental disasters on successful aging.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are community-dwelling older adults living in California who may be exposed to wildfire smoke.

Not a fit: Patients who do not live in areas affected by wildfires or who are not older adults may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health strategies and interventions for older adults exposed to wildfire smoke.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on wildfire smoke and aging is relatively novel, there is existing research on the health impacts of air pollution on older adults that supports the relevance of this approach.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.