Association between exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and the health status in the mobile population from 338 cities in China

There are limited studies investigating the relationship between exposure to PM_2.5 and the health status among the mobile population. A cross-sectional analysis was performed in a nationally representative sample (2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey data) consisting of 169,469 mobile population. The ordered logistic regression model was used to examine the association between PM_2.5 and the health status in mobile population. Stratified analyses were performed to identify whether the association varied across gender, age group, and regions in China. Overall, every 10 μg/m³ increment in annual average PM_2.5 was associated with increased risk of poor self-reported health (OR = 1.021, 95% CI: 1.012-1.030). Mobile population aged 31-49 years and living in the central region suffers the highest PM_2.5-associated health risk (OR = 1.030, 95% CI: 1.019-1.042; OR = 1.095, 95% CI: 1.075-1.116). Our study suggests that PM_2.5 exposure was associated with an increased risk of poor self-reported health in mobile population, particularly among the population aged 31-49 years and people living in the central region of China. Policymakers should pay more attention to the vulnerable mobile population to tackle the health burden of ambient air pollution.