Widening of Disparities in Pollution-Attributed Health Burden Observed
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, March 14, 2024 -- There has been a widening of racial and ethnic relative disparities in the pollution-attributable health burden within the United States, according to a study published online March 6 in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Gaige Hunter Kerr, Ph.D., from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and colleagues quantified census tract-level variations in health outcomes attributable to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5μm (PM2.5) through a health impact assessment.
The researchers found that the public health damages associated with NO2 and PM2.5 decreased overall, but during the last decade, there was a widening of racial and ethnic relative disparities in NO2-attributable pediatric asthma and PM2.5-attributable premature mortality. Between 2010 and 2019, the racial relative disparities in PM2.5-attributable premature mortality and NO2-attributable pediatric asthma increased by 16 and 19 percent, respectively. Similarly, there were increases of 40 percent in ethnic relative disparities in PM2.5-attributable premature mortality and 10 percent in NO2-attributable pediatric asthma.
"The study also shows that the Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards are not adequately protecting Americans, especially the most marginalized communities," Kerr said in a statement. "The adverse health effects linked to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide pollution in our study occurred even though EPA air quality standards were largely met."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted March 2024
Read this next
Patient-Reported Symptom Monitoring Aids Cancer Treatment Outcomes
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2025 -- Electronic symptom monitoring with patient-reported outcomes (PRO) meaningfully improves clinical outcomes for cancer treatment, according to a study...
Children Most Likely to Be Killed in Mass Shooting by Family Member
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2025 -- From 2009 to 2020, a child was most likely to be killed in a mass shooting by a parent or other family member, according to a research letter published...
Few Individuals With Mental, Substance Use Disorders Receive Guideline-Consistent Treatment
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2025 -- A small number of individuals with mental and substance use disorders receive guideline-consistent treatment worldwide, according to a study published...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.