scholarly journals Air Pollution Exposure and Physical Activity in China: Current Knowledge, Public Health Implications, and Future Research Needs

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 14887-14897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaojiao Lü ◽  
Leichao Liang ◽  
Yi Feng ◽  
Rena Li ◽  
Yu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Health Implications ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Pollution Exposure

scholarly journals Health Impacts of Urban Bicycling in Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2300
Author(s):  
David Rojas-Rueda
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Traffic Fatalities ◽  
Premature Deaths ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Pollution Exposure

Background: Bicycling has been associated with health benefits. Local and national authorities have been promoting bicycling as a tool to improve public health and the environment. Mexico is one of the largest Latin American countries, with high levels of sedentarism and non-communicable diseases. No previous studies have estimated the health impacts of Mexico’s national bicycling scenarios. Aim: Quantify the health impacts of Mexico urban bicycling scenarios. Methodology: Quantitative Health Impact Assessment, estimating health risks and benefits of bicycling scenarios in 51,718,756 adult urban inhabitants in Mexico (between 20 and 64 years old). Five bike scenarios were created based on current bike trends in Mexico. The number of premature deaths (increased or reduced) was estimated in relation to physical activity, road traffic fatalities, and air pollution. Input data were collected from national publicly available data sources from transport, environment, health and population reports, and surveys, in addition to scientific literature. Results: We estimated that nine premature deaths are prevented each year among urban populations in Mexico on the current car-bike substitution and trip levels (1% of bike trips), with an annual health economic benefit of US $1,897,920. If Mexico achieves similar trip levels to those reported in The Netherlands (27% of bike trips), 217 premature deaths could be saved annually, with an economic impact of US $45,760,960. In all bicycling scenarios assessed in Mexico, physical activity’s health benefits outweighed the health risks related to traffic fatalities and air pollution exposure. Conclusion: The study found that bicycling promotion in Mexico would provide important health benefits. The benefits of physical activity outweigh the risk from traffic fatalities and air pollution exposure in bicyclists. At the national level, Mexico could consider using sustainable transport policies as a tool to promote public health. Specifically, the support of active transportation through bicycling and urban design improvements could encourage physical activity and its health co-benefits.

Air Pollution and Physical Activity (APPA): Air Pollution Exposure in Travel Modes

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Pablo Orjuela ◽  
George Northover ◽  
Shahram Heydari ◽  
Audrey de Nazelle
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Pollution Exposure

scholarly journals Personal Exposure to Air Pollution for Various Modes of Transport in Auckland, New Zealand

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. N. Dirks ◽  
P. Sharma ◽  
J. A. Salmond ◽  
S. B. Costello
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Commute Time ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Commuting Time ◽  
Mode Of Transport ◽  
Pollution Exposure

This paper investigates the carbon monoxide (CO) doses received while commuting by different modes (car, bus, train, motorcycle, bicycle and running), taking into account the commute time as well as the level of physical activity required. While the participants were constrained to travel at specific peak traffic times and between designated start and end points, they were free to choose a route appropriate for their mode of transport. The results of this study suggest that the lowest exposures (concentrations of pollutants) are experienced by train commuters, largely a reflection of the routes being removed from any significant road traffic. Motorcyclists experienced significantly higher average concentrations as a result of high-concentration and very-short-duration peaks not seen in the traces of car and bus commuters travelling on the same road. Travel by bus along a dedicated busway was also found to be effective in reducing commuter air pollution exposure compared to travel by car on a congested stretch of motorway. The average concentrations to which cyclists and runners were exposed were found to be not significantly different for those travelling by car or bus (except when on dedicated pedestrian/cycleways). However, when the increased physical activity that is required is taken into account (leading to higher volumes of air breathed) along with the increased commuting time (especially in the case of runners), the air pollution doses (as estimated by the product of the concentration, commute time and breathing factor) were found to be significantly higher than for the motorised modes. The results suggest that separate pedestrian/cycleways go some way towards providing healthier options for cyclists and pedestrians.

scholarly journals Exposure to outdoor air pollution and its human-related health outcomes: an evidence gap map

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e031312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuanlan Sun ◽  
Demi Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Outdoor Air ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Outdoor Air Pollution ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Pollution Exposure ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesOutdoor air pollution is a serious environmental problem worldwide. Current systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) mostly focused on some specific health outcomes or some specific air pollution.DesignThis evidence gap map (EGM) is to identify existing gaps from SRs and MAs and report them in broad topic areas.Data sourcesPubMed, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from their inception until June 2018. Citations and reference lists were traced.Eligibility criteriaSRs and MAs that investigated the impact of outdoor air pollution on human health outcomes were collected. This study excluded original articles and qualitative review articles.Data extraction and synthesisCharacteristics of the included SRs and MAs were extracted and summarised. Extracted data included authors, publication year, location of the corresponding author(s), publication journal discipline, study design, study duration, sample size, study region, target population, types of air pollution and health outcomes.ResultsAsia and North America published 93% of SRs and MAs included in this EGM. 31% of the SRs and MAs (27/86) included primary studies conducted in 5–10 countries. Their publication trends have increased during the last 10 years. A total of 2864 primary studies was included. The median number of included primary studies was 20 (range, 7–167). Cohort studies, case cross-over studies and time-series studies were the top three most used study designs. The mostly researched population was the group of all ages (46/86, 53%). Cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and health service records were mostly reported. A lack of definite diagnostic criteria, unclear reporting of air pollution exposure and time period of primary studies were the main research gaps.ConclusionsThis EGM provided a visual overview of health outcomes affected by outdoor air pollution exposure. Future research should focus on chronic diseases, cancer and mental disorders.

scholarly journals The mortality impact of bicycle paths and lanes related to physical activity, air pollution exposure and road safety

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Schepers ◽  
Elliot Fishman ◽  
Rob Beelen ◽  
Eva Heinen ◽  
Wim Wijnen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Road Safety ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Pollution Exposure

scholarly journals Factors influencing health behaviours in response to the air quality health index: a cross-sectional study in Hamilton, Canada

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Radisic ◽  
K. Bruce Newbold ◽  
John Eyles ◽  
Allison Williams
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Air Quality Health Index ◽  
Pollution Exposure

Research associating adverse health effects with air pollution exposure is robust. Public health authorities recognize the need to implement population health strategies that protect public health from air pollution exposure. The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a public health initiative that is intended to protect the public's health from exposure to air pollution. The aim of this research was to identify and explain factors influencing AQHI adoption at the individual level and to establish intervention strategies. A cross-sectional survey with both quantitative and qualitative questions was administered in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, during the months of June to October 2012. Logistic regression and the Health Belief Model are used to explore the data. Demographics (gender, age, education, and area of residence), knowledge/understanding, and individual risk perceptions (neighbourhood air effects on health) were found to be significant predictors of AQHI adoption. The perceived benefits of AQHI adoption included protection of health for self and those cared for via familial and (or) occupational duties, whereas the perceived barriers of AQHI adoption included lack of knowledge about where to check and lack of time required to check and follow AQHI health messages. Also, self-efficacy was uncovered as a factor influencing AQHI adoption. Accordingly, increases in AQHI adoption could be achieved via increasing AQHI knowledge among low socioeconomic status females, communicating the benefits of AQHI adoption to “at-risk” populations and implementing supports for males to follow AQHI health messages.

scholarly journals Health economic assessment of a scenario to promote bicycling as active transport in Stockholm, Sweden

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e030466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hedi Katre Kriit ◽  
Jennifer Stewart Williams ◽  
Lars Lindholm ◽  
Bertil Forsberg ◽  
Johan Nilsson Sommar
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Economic ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Active Transport ◽  
Healthcare Costs ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Stockholm County ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Pollution Exposure

ObjectivesTo conduct a health economic evaluation of a proposed investment in urban bicycle infrastructure in Stockholm County, Sweden.DesignA cost-effectiveness analysis is undertaken from a healthcare perspective. Investment costs over a 50-year life cycle are offset by averted healthcare costs and compared with estimated long-term impacts on morbidity, quantified in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The results are re-calculated under different assumptions to model the effects of uncertainty.SettingThe Municipality of Stockholm (population 2.27 million) committed funds for bicycle path infrastructure with the aim of achieving a 15% increase in the number of bicycle commuters by 2030. This work is based on a previously constructed scenario, in which individual registry data on home and work address and a transport model allocation to different modes of transport identified 111 487 individuals with the physical capacity to bicycle to work within 30 min but that currently drive a car to work.ResultsMorbidity impacts and healthcare costs attributed to increased physical activity, change in air pollution exposure and accident risk are quantified under the scenario. The largest reduction in healthcare costs is attributed to increased physical activity and the second largest to reduced air pollution exposure among the population of Greater Stockholm. The expected net benefit from the investment is 8.7% of the 2017 Stockholm County healthcare budget, and 3.7% after discounting. The economic evaluation estimates that the intervention is cost-effective and each DALY averted gives a surplus of €9933. The results remained robust under varied assumptions pertaining to reduced numbers of additional bicycle commuters.ConclusionInvesting in urban infrastructure to increase bicycling as active transport is cost-effective from a healthcare sector perspective.

scholarly journals Making the invisible visible: Engaging school children in monitoring air pollution in London

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Varaden ◽  
Christopher McKevitt ◽  
Benjamin Barratt
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Participatory Methods ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Pollution Exposure ◽  
The Impact

Exposure to air pollution is a public health concern accountable for numerous health problems and tens of thousands of premature deaths each year in the UK. Despite this evidence, public understanding and awareness of the issue is low in comparison to other public health risks. Improved methods for engaging with the public to communicate this risk are required. This study aimed to investigate the impact of collecting personalized air pollution exposure data on children and parents from a London primary school in terms of perceptions of and responses to air quality. Drawing on a participatory research approach, 400 children from a London primary school learnt about air pollution. A subset of ten children measured the air pollution they were exposed to as they travelled to and from school using portable exposure monitors and GPS watches, and shared the data they collected with the whole school. Data on the impact of the approach on the school community were collected using observations, surveys distributed to all school children and their parents, and interviews with the parents and children who collected the air pollution data. Most participants said that having access to personalized data that they themselves collected increased their air pollution awareness and their desire to reduce their air pollution exposure. The children's participation in the project inspired them to think about ways in which they could influence other people's behaviour, such as proposing anti-idling campaigns and encouraging their parents to cycle or walk to school. The use of participatory methods has the potential to facilitate the dissemination of information from a small group of individuals to a bigger audience. This study suggests that participatory methods can be implemented in practice, and they have the potential to be effective and engaging tools for raising awareness of air pollution as a health risk in communities.

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