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Online Program

334089
Cumulative Health Impacts of Chronic Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and Neighborhood Perceptions of Crime on Pulmonary Health: Results from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.

Kristen Malecki, PhD, MPH, Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Amy Schultz, MS, Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI
Rachel Bergmans, MPH, Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Tamara LeCaire, PhD, Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI
Mari Palta, PhD, Departments of Population Health Sciences and Department of Biostatistics & Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Background: Evidence suggests higher susceptibility to adverse effects of air pollution among individuals also facing non-chemical stressors. Thus far, limited research has not differentiated effects of air pollution and non-chemical stressors on pulmonary function. In particular, few studies have explored how individuals’ perceptions of neighborhood resources and assets may play a role in buffering effects of neighborhood disadvantage and pollution on health. For example, previous studies of psychosocial stress have looked at neighborhood crime rates but have not taken into account individuals’ perceptions of neighborhood safety, as a marker of chronic stress, which may play a role in modifying effects of air pollution on lung function.

Methods: We used 2008 Hierarchical Bayesian estimates of 12 km grid fine particular matter (PM2.5) data from the US EPA, geographic information system (GIS) transportation files, and data from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) to examine the association between exposure to low-level chronic air pollution and lung function (measured as percent predicted FEV1). We also examined how associations are modified by neighborhood perceptions of crime using multi-variable linear regression models.

Results: A total of 1985 participants from the 2008-2013 SHOW were included. After controlling for proximity to roadways based on GIS measures, socio-demographics, psycho-social and behavioral factors from SHOW, we found for every ten unit increase in annual average PM2.5 (ug/m3) exposure there was  significantly lower predicted FEV1 (β=-.27, CI -.39 ,-.16). The effect size was also twice as high (β=- -.46, CI -.66,  -.25) among individuals who perceived some crime in their neighborhoods and was reduced by two thirds (β=- -.10, CI -.21, .00) among participants who felt very safe from crime.

Discussion: After careful adjustment both chemical and non-chemical stressors do have an influence on lung function. Further investigation is needed to support regulations and identify opportunities for reducing health disparities.

Learning Areas:

Environmental health sciences
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Describe literature regarding air pollution and non-chemical stressors on pulmonary health to date. Explain the mechanisms by which chronic stress and air pollution combined may increase risks. Assess data from a household based population examination survey to evaluate the association between air pollution and neighborhood perceptions of crime as a chronic measure of psychological well-being on predicted values of lung function among adults. Identify opportunities to improve cumulative risk assessment and policies.

Keyword(s): Air Pollution & Respiratory Health, Environmental Justice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a PhD trained environmental epidemiologist with over ten years of applied epidemiologic experience.I also serve as co-director of the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin Project from which this study was conducted.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4030.0: Health Disparities and Environmental Justice - II