E20. Air, Asthma, and Equity: What Shapes Kids’ Lung Health Today with Dr. Teresa To

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze, I’m joined by Dr. Teresa To, a senior scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children and one of Canada’s leading voices in pediatric asthma and population health research. Dr. To shares her insights on how early life exposures like air pollution, secondhand smoke, and socioeconomic factors can shape a child’s risk of developing asthma.We explore how early intervention, improved access to care, and data-driven research are essential to changing outcomes. Dr. To also walks us through her work with the OASIS Research Program and how she uses ICES Big Data to inform everything from clinical practice to public health policy. She talks openly about mentorship, the importance of gender equity in science, and the promise of AI and digital tools in helping deliver more personalized asthma treatment.This conversation is packed with both heart and science. Whether you’re living with asthma, treating it, or researching it, there's something here for you.You can also learn more about Dr. To’s lifelong commitment to asthma research in her profile from Asthma Canada, by clicking here. Chapter Markers:01:24 Introduction and Guest Welcome 03:42 Dr. To’s Journey into Asthma Research 05:07 Early Life Exposures and Asthma 08:46 Air Pollution and Public Health 12:53 Early Intervention and Personalized Treatment 16:33 Barriers in Asthma Care 27:26 Research Highlights and Big Data Insights 39:50 Mentorship, Equity, and Collaboration 46:12 Guest Final Thoughts and PlugsAdditional Resources:Asthma Canada’s Asthma & Allergy Helpline Get support from a Certified Respiratory Educator: https://asthma.ca/get-help/asthma-and-allergy-help/OASIS Research Program https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/research/initiatives/oasisICES (Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences) https://www.ices.on.ca/Health Canada: Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-quality-health-index.htmlWHO – Asthma and Air Pollution Facts https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthmaConnect with us (@BeyondTheWheeze):Check us out on InstagramFollow Beyond the Wheeze on LinkedInConnect with us on TikTokFollow us on FacebookSpeaking services, media, blog & news on our websiteEmail Josh directly at [email protected] video podcasts more your thing? Check us out on YouTube!Visit Asthma Canada, or the Lung Health Foundation, to see how you can get involved today.