Environmental equity, air quality, socioeconomic status, and respiratory health: a linkage analysis of routine data from the Health Survey for England.

ABSTRACT:

Study objective

To assess relations between socioeconomic status and local air quality, and combined effects on respiratory health, in the context of environmental and health inequality.

Design

Data on people taking part in the Health Survey for England were attributed with a small area index of air pollution using annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, benzene, and particulates (PM10). Regression models were used to measure associations between social class, air quality, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and self reported asthma.

Participants

Participants aged 16-79 in the Health Survey for England 1995, 1996, and 1997.

Main results

Urban lower social class households were more likely to be located in areas of poor air qu

SUBMITTER: Wheeler BW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1732938 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature