Aim or Scope (problem being addressed)

To investigate whether air pollution causes harmful health effects on populations with inequitable income distribution in US.

To estimate the impacts of particulate matter air pollution on longevity and health.

Participants,

when and where

Two datasets observations

First dataset conducted from 2000-2010.

Second dataset included three yearly observations; 2000, 2005, and 2010.

Study conducted in 49 states of District of Columbia and US.

Entire population bordering United States at county and national level.

Study conducted from 1999-2015 in the United States

Context and framework

The study was based on US context.

Three theoretical principles were used, i.e. physiology, proximity, and power whereby a two-way-fixed effects model and regression estimation techniques were used.

Context was the United States.

Four models of bayesian spatiotemporal models were used, i.e. an integrated geographical regression model, covariate model, unadjusted model, and regression model.

Main results

or findings

The results showed that low-income states with high levels of fine particulate matter had lower life expectancy.

Particulate matter pollution was associated with an increased risk of unintentional injuries, malignant neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cerebrovascular disease, and heart disease - all of which are associated with higher mortality.

The results indicated that loss of life expectancy was high in counties with high poverty rate and lower income.

Particulate matter pollution was associated with cardiorespiratory diseases which led to high death rates in the said counties.

Implications Practice or Research

Future research should be carried out in environmental justice and social epidemiology to explore the health implications related to air pollution and income inequality.

Lowering the levels of particulate matter air pollution will likely lower health inequalities and have significant benefits on health in US population

Your comments (include limitations)

Data from the study was only limited to ten years, i.e. 2000-2010. In addition, only one indicator was used. Essentially, air quality was indicated by fine particulate matter, health was only based on average life expectancy, and inequality in income was based on top 10% income shares. Further, the model used resulted in conservative coefficients. Therefore, the results of the study are conservative estimates.

The study was based on observational studies which cannot be guaranteed as being causal. There was no annual data at county-level and other determinants of mortality such as diet, quality, and access to healthcare.

Reference

3. Finkelstein, M. M., Jerrett, M., DeLuca, P., Finkelstein, N., Verma, D. K., Chapman, K. & Sears, M. R. (2003). Relation Between Income, Air Pollution and Mortality: A Cohort Study. CMAJ, 169(5), 397-402.

4. Reddy, K. S. & Roberts, J. H. (2019). The Impact of Air Pollution on Deaths, Disease Burden,...

…determinant in terms of how the community was exposed to air pollution. In addition, most of the persons in low-income neighborhoods were unemployed. Moreover, the rate of disease burden in the said families was high - including diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases.

Common Frameworks

Common framework used to estimate mortality was the regression model

Common Findings

From the four articles, it was observed that low income families with high exposure to air pollution were at a higher risk of mortality.

Implications or Recommendations

It is important to explore the implications of air pollution to the community. In addition, low-income families should be educated on various methods of preventing or reducing air pollution so as to reduce its effects. The said families should be provided with employment so that they can prevent indoor air pollution.

Discrepancies or Limitations

The studies in both articles were conducted in urban areas. Therefore, communities from rural areas were left out and thus it would be hard to determine whether air pollution leads to lower life expectancy in low income families across the board. Adequate research requires that these areas be included.

Was your focus maintained?

Yes?

No?

Partially?...

Yes

Based on your work, how would you modify or reframe your initial research question?

How does air pollution cause diseases that lead to lower…