The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Noah Tolby
American Heart Month just came to a close, but the focus on cardiovascular health remains just as important year-round. While diet and exercise are well-known factors, air pollution is a lesser-known yet significant contributor to heart disease, affecting millions of Americans every day.
As an emergency physician in Tucson, I witness firsthand the impact of poor air quality on my patients — from childhood asthma attacks to heart attacks and strokes in adults. The good news? Solutions are within reach through clean energy and electric vehicles (EVs). However, unelected billionaires are pushing policies that threaten to pause the payout of critical funding for clean energy programs. This would jeopardize Arizona’s economic and public health progress and undo years of work toward a cleaner, healthier future.
People are also reading…
Arizona’s Air Pollution Crisis and Climate Crisis
According to the American Lung Association’s Arizona Fact Sheet of the State of the Air 2024 report, nearly 84% of Arizonans live in a community with unhealthy air. Cities like Phoenix rank among the most polluted in the country, with high levels of ozone and particulate pollution. Tucson’s air quality is also troubling, with Pima County receiving an F grade for ozone pollution.
These pollutants inflame the lungs, trigger asthma, and worsen heart disease. Meanwhile, rising temperatures intensify this problem, increasing ozone formation and increasing emergency department visits for heat-related heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications. Arizona’s increasingly frequent and intense heat waves make this issue especially urgent. Low-income and communities of color bear the brunt of these impacts, experiencing disproportionately high rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. For other vulnerable populations—including those with pre-existing conditions, the elderly, outdoor workers, and the homeless—these climate-driven health risks can also be deadly.
The Path to Cleaner Air and Healthier Communities
Gasoline-powered vehicles and fossil-fuel-based power plants are the largest contributors to harmful emissions. The transportation sector is the largest source of carbon pollution in the nation and Arizona. Transitioning to clean energy and EVs is crucial to reducing air pollution and improving public health. In fact, research has found that as zero-pollution vehicle adoption increased in a given zip code, local air pollution levels dropped. Electrifying our transportation system and shifting to clean energy sources can significantly reduce air pollution, benefiting cardiovascular health and reducing the risks of heart disease.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is a game-changer, providing essential incentives to make the transition to clean energy more affordable and accessible for all. Key provisions include federal tax credits of up to $7,500 for new electric vehicles (EVs) and $4,000 for used EVs, making cleaner transportation more attainable for Arizona families. Households can also access thousands of dollars in rebates for energy-efficient appliances, home insulation upgrades, and clean electricity transitions, reducing reliance on polluting power plants. Additionally, significant investments in wind and solar energy will cut fossil fuel dependence and improve air quality, particularly benefiting communities heavily impacted by pollution.
Time is running out. Act now to embrace clean energy and EVs! Take advantage of available tax credits before they disappear. You can reduce air pollution, cut energy costs, and create a healthier future by switching today.
A Prescription for a Healthier Future
The science is clear: Clean energy protects hearts and lungs. As a physician, I urge Arizona’s congressional representatives to protect these critical programs and embrace the transition to clean energy and electric transportation. Every EV on the road and every solar panel installed means cleaner air, fewer hospital visits, and longer, healthier lives — all while lowering our bills. A true win-win!
Let’s recognize that protecting our hearts isn’t just about diet and exercise — it’s also about the air we breathe. We are investing in our collective health and future by using clean energy.
Visit azhpca.org/solutions to help build a healthier Arizona today.
Follow these steps to easily submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion to the Arizona Daily Star.
Noah Tolby is an emergency medicine physician and faculty member at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He has been recognized for his clinical teaching and mentorship excellence. His work focuses on medical education, emergency care, and serving underserved communities.
