Temporal Trends in Anemia and Particulate Matter Air Pollution by Sex and Country-Level Income: Longitudinal Evidence
Veli Durmuş1, Selin Kalender2, Nurcan Coşkun Us3
1The Department of Health Management, Kütahya Health Sciences University, Kütahya, Türkiye.
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
|April 2, 2026
Summary
Global anemia prevalence increased despite declining particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution. This study links higher PM2.5 exposure to increased anemia, especially in females and lower-income nations, highlighting the need for air quality interventions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Global Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Anemia is a significant global health issue with diverse causes and impacts.
- Limited evidence exists on the link between environmental factors like particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution and anemia.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal association between PM2.5 air pollution and anemia prevalence globally.
- To examine differences in these associations based on sex and income levels.
- To inform strategies for anemia prevention and control.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of longitudinal data from 185 countries (1990-2021).
- Utilized secondary data on PM2.5 exposure, anemia prevalence, socio-economic indices, and health factors.
- Employed Joinpoint regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE) for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Global anemia prevalence increased by 8% in males and 9% in females over 32 years.
- Significant positive associations were found between anemia prevalence and PM2.5 pollution, lower income levels, and female sex.
- While some high-income countries reduced PM2.5, lower-middle-income countries saw increases, and global anemia prevalence rose.
Conclusions:
- PM2.5 air pollution is significantly associated with increased anemia prevalence, particularly in females and lower-income populations.
- Despite declining PM2.5 in some regions, global anemia rates have risen, underscoring the complexity of the issue.
- Addressing air pollution, alongside other health factors, is critical for reducing the global burden of anemia, especially in low-income countries.
Related Concept Videos
02:20Longitudinal Research
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
01:11Observational Studies
Observational studies are a type of analytical study where researchers observe events without any interventions. In other words, the researcher does not influence the response variable or the experiment's outcome.
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...
01:24Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
The cardiovascular system regulates the number of erythrocytes in the bloodstream to ensure optimal oxygen transport. It also prevents over-proliferation of these cells, which helps to maintain blood viscosity and flow rate.
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
01:25Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Epidemiological data primarily involves information on specific populations' occurrence, distribution, and determinants of health and diseases. This data is crucial for understanding disease patterns and impacts, aiding public health decision-making and disease prevention strategies. The analysis of epidemiological data employs various statistical methods to interpret health-related data effectively. Here are some commonly used methods:
01:22Applications of Life Tables
Life tables are versatile across various fields, providing a quantitative basis for analyzing mortality and survival rates. Whether used by demographers, actuaries, epidemiologists, or sociologists, life tables offer valuable insights into the dynamics of life and death, facilitating informed decisions in public health, insurance, conservation, and beyond. Their broad applicability highlights the interconnectedness of demographic data with practical outcomes in everyday life and strategic...