Journal article
The Effects of Air Pollution on Hospitalizations for Cardiovascular Disease in Elderly People in Australian and New Zealand Cities
Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol.114(7), pp.1018-1023
2006
Abstract
Objective: The goal of this study was to estimate the associations between outdoor air pollution and cardiovascular hospital admissions for the elderly. Design: Associations were assessed using the case-crossover method for seven cities: Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand ; and Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney Australia. Results were combined across cities using a random-effects meta-analysis and stratified for two adult age groups: 15-64 years and ≥65 years of age (elderly) . Pollutants considered were nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, daily measures of particulate matter (PM) and ozone. Where multiple pollutant associations were found, a matched case-control analysis was used to identify the most consistent association. Results: In the elderly, all pollutants except O3 were significantly associated with five categories of cardiovascular disease admissions. No associations were found for arrhythmia and stroke. For a 0.9-ppm increase in CO, there were significant increases in elderly hospital admissions for total cardiovascular disease (2.2%) , all cardiac disease (2.8%) , cardiac failure (6.0%) , ischemic heart disease (2.3%) , and myocardial infarction (2.9%) . There was some heterogeneity between cities, possibly due to differences in humidity and the percentage of elderly people. In matched analyses, CO had the most consistent association. Conclusions: The results suggest that air pollution arising from common emission sources for CO, NO2, and PM (e.g., motor vehicle exhausts) has significant associations with adult cardiovascular hospital admissions, especially in the elderly, at air pollution concentrations below normal health guidelines. Relevance to clinical and professional practice: Elderly populations in Australia need to be protected from air pollution arising from outdoor sources to reduce cardiovascular disease.
Details
- Title
- The Effects of Air Pollution on Hospitalizations for Cardiovascular Disease in Elderly People in Australian and New Zealand Cities
- Authors
- A G Barnett (Author) - University of QueenslandGail M Williams (Author) - University of QueenslandJ Schwartz (Author) - Harvard University, United StatesTrudi Best (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationAnne H Neller (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationAnna Petroeschevsky (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationRodney W Simpson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol.114(7), pp.1018-1023
- Publisher
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Date published
- 2006
- DOI
- 10.1289/ehp.8674
- ISSN
- 0091-6765
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2006. Reproduced with permission from Environmental Health Perspectives. The definitive version is available from http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/
- Organisation Unit
- Insights & Analytics Unit; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449220902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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