Spatial variability of the effect of air pollution on term birth weight: evaluating influential factors using Bayesian hierarchical models.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epidemiological studies suggest that air pollution is adversely associated with pregnancy outcomes. Such associations may be modified by spatially-varying factors including socio-demographic characteristics, land-use patterns and unaccounted exposures. Yet, few studies have systematically investigated the impact of these factors on spatial variability of the air pollution's effects. This study aimed to examine spatial variability of the effects of air pollution on term birth weight across Census tracts and the influence of tract-level factors on such variability.

Methods

We obtained over 900,000 birth records from 2001 to 2008 in Los Angeles County, California, USA. Air pollution exposure was modeled at individual level for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxid

SUBMITTER: Li L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4744429 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature