What do Providers and Community Members Think About Disease Intervention Specialists?: Provider and Community Member Assessments in New York City.

PM (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter) is a complex mixture of microscopic solids suspended in the air. Owing to its small size, PM can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, leading to significant adverse health effects []. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified particulate matter from outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans (IARC Group 1) []. Despite ongoing improvements, the average annual PM concentration in South Korea, at 18 µg/m³ in 2023, remains considerably higher than the WHO guideline value (5 µg/m³) and exceeds levels observed in other OECD cities such as Paris and London (13 µg/m³) [, ]. Thus, substantial efforts to mitigate associated health impacts remain critical. The health implications of PM exposure, encompassing both short- and long-term effects, are well-documented. Short-term exposure has been consistently linked to increased cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, contributing to 1 million premature deaths annually [, ]. Long-term exposure has similarly established relationships with detrimental health effects including cardiovascular diseases and cancers [, ]. Furthermore, recent research underscores potential neurological and psychiatric effects of prolonged PM exposure, suggesting heightened vulnerability among individuals with degenerative diseases, including those that cause dementia [, ]. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to PM exposure because of age-related decline in cardiopulmonary reserve. Indoor air quality and exposure-related behaviors represent tractable and actionable targets for health intervention for older adults. Prior intervention studies have shown that combustion sources such as wood-stove heating substantially elevate indoor PM in homes [], and that household-level interventions combining behavioral education with environmental modification can yield meaningful reductions in indoor particulate matter (PM) and improvements in respiratory outcomes [].