Spatial Association between Air Pollution and Non-communicable Diseases and their Distribution in India
Arun Kumar Sharma1, Ramesh Kumar Huda2, Sk Parveg Alam2
1Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.
Summary
Air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5), showed no statistically significant association with diabetes or hypertension in India. Further prospective studies are recommended to explore potential links between air quality and non-communicable diseases.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension are a growing global health concern.
- Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is increasingly linked to NCDs.
- No national-level studies in India have investigated the association between air pollution and NCDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ambient PM2.5 levels and the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in India.
- To analyze the spatial distribution of PM2.5, diabetes, and hypertension across India.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National NCD Monitoring Survey (2017-2018) for 9,759 individuals.
- Superimposed NCD data with 20-year average satellite-derived PM2.5 concentrations (2000-2019).
- Employed spatial and geostatistical methods to assess associations and geographic distributions.
Main Results:
- A weak positive correlation was observed between hypertension and PM2.5 levels.
- Diabetes exhibited weak positive and negative correlations with PM2.5 across different regions.
- No statistically significant associations were found between PM2.5 exposure and the prevalence of diabetes or hypertension.
Conclusions:
- The study did not find significant evidence of a direct association between PM2.5 air pollution and diabetes or hypertension in India.
- The findings suggest that current PM2.5 levels may not be a primary driver for these NCDs at a national level in India.
- Prospective cohort studies are recommended to further investigate potential associations and explore other contributing factors.
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