Air Pollution and Public Health

Air pollution is widely recognized as a prevalent concern to public health, with numerous studies linking poor air quality to adverse health outcomes. This project examines the relationship between air quality, specifically PM2.5 levels, and respiratory diseases in California. Using patient data collected between 2010 and 2023 from the Department of Healthcare Access and Information, we analyze emergency department visits categorized by race, insurance type, and diagnosis across major hospitals in the state. Additionally, we incorporate Air Quality Index (AQI) data derived from PM2.5 pollutant levels for each county in California during the same period. 

Based on the compilation of this data, it is clear to see a negative relationship between air pollution and respiratory health on Californians. This relationship shows the need for better healthcare interventions and environmental justice for those harmed by unhealthy air quality.

Further research focuses on the impacts of air pollution on the central nervous system, prenatal health, and increased risk of renal and bladder cancer. Common byproducts of pollution including PM 2.5 and NO2 have been linked to an increased risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s, supporting the thesis that air pollution has disastrous consequences on the nervous system. However, there has been no research on biological pathways responsible for adverse health effects, long-term individual case studies on the impacts of air pollution, and the sociological impacts of air pollution in underserved communities.

Literature regarding the negative impacts of air pollution on public health tends to span less than 2 years, while the long-term impacts of rising pollution levels on public respiratory health remain largely undiscovered. Long term effects of air pollution in underserved communities are being neglected. Given the rampant wealth and racial disparity in California, there has been minimal research in adverse health outcomes in Low-SES communities.

This project powerfully investigates the impact of air quality on health outcomes by analyzing hospital admissions, demographic factors, and environmental variables. We are working on understanding the relationship between air pollution exposure and health disparities. We want to find out how different communities, particularly vulnerable populations, are affected by poor air quality in order to advocate for health awareness and environmental injustice.

Unlike existing literature primarily focusing on broad national trends, this dataset provides localized insights; thus, allowing for an examination of regional variations in health outcomes. By connecting air quality data with hospital records, this work contributes to larger discussions on environmental justice, healthcare accessibility, and the need for targeted interventions in areas disproportionately affected by pollution in order to create a cleaner and fairer environment. ​​