Status and determinants of individual actions to reduce health impacts of air pollution in US adults

Lissåker, Claudia; Talbott, Evelyn O.; Kan, Haidong; Xu, Xiaohui

doi:10.1080/19338244.2014.988673

Cited by 16 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In general, these results are consistent with previous studies recognising wearable devices as possible facilitators, and not necessarily drivers, of health behaviours [ 80 ], where engagement strategies [ 17 ] and message tailoring [ 78 , 79 ] may be the key to successful health messages, particularly when these messages address people’s beliefs about the health threat and the advice [ 81 ]. Finally, it is worth noting that whilst a growing body of research is showing that air quality warnings have the potential to reduce hospitalisation due to respiratory symptoms, as well as reduce to some extent outdoor physical activities during air alert days [ 7 , 53 , 82 – 93 ], we cannot be entirely sure that these observed behaviours are primarily driven by the warnings themselves rather than people’s own perception of bad air quality or perhaps a combination of the two. This is because these studies are mainly based on the assumption that everyone is exposed to air quality alerts when these are issued.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Psychosocial and demographic predictors of adherence and non-adherence to health advice accompanying air quality warning systems: a systematic review

et al. 2017

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BackgroundAlthough evidence shows that poor air quality can harm human health, we have a limited understanding about the behavioural impact of air quality forecasts. Our aim was to understand to what extent air quality warning systems influence protective behaviours in the general public, and to identify the demographic and psychosocial factors associated with adherence and non-adherence to the health advice accompanying these warnings.MethodIn August 2016 literature was systematically reviewed to find studies assessing intended or actual adherence to health advice accompanying air quality warning systems, and encouraging people to reduce exposure to air pollution. Predictors of adherence to the health advice and/or self-reported reasons for adherence or non-adherence were also systematically reviewed. Studies were included only if they involved participants who were using or were aware of these warning systems. Studies investigating only protective behaviours due to subjective perception of bad air quality alone were excluded. The results were narratively synthesised and discussed within the COM-B theoretical framework.ResultsTwenty-one studies were included in the review: seventeen investigated actual adherence; three investigated intended adherence; one assessed both. Actual adherence to the advice to reduce or reschedule outdoor activities during poor air quality episodes ranged from 9.7% to 57% (Median = 31%), whereas adherence to a wider range of protective behaviours (e.g. avoiding busy roads, taking preventative medication) ranged from 17.7% to 98.1% (Median = 46%). Demographic factors did not consistently predict adherence. However, several psychosocial facilitators of adherence were identified. These include knowledge on where to check air quality indices, beliefs that one’s symptoms were due to air pollution, perceived severity of air pollution, and receiving advice from health care professionals. Barriers to adherence included: lack of understanding of the indices, being exposed to health messages that reduced both concern about air pollution and perceived susceptibility, as well as perceived lack of self-efficacy/locus of control, reliance on sensory cues and lack of time.ConclusionWe found frequent suboptimal adherence rates to health advice accompanying air quality alerts. Several psychosocial facilitators and barriers of adherence were identified. To maximise their health effects, health advice needs to target these specific psychosocial factors.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12940-017-0307-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Psychosocial and demographic predictors of adherence and non-adherence to health advice accompanying air quality warning systems: a systematic review

et al. 2017

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“…Lissåker et al found that certain groups including the elderly and those with either respiratory or cardiovascular disease are more likely to change behaviors when they are aware of poor air quality [48]. This suggests that some of the most susceptible groups do, in fact, take measures to protect themselves against air pollution; unfortunately, the authors also noted that most people did not alter their behavior.…”

Section: Interventions To Reduce Air Pollution Exposures At a Personamentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Diseases: Is It Preventable?

Morishita

Thompson

Brook

2015

Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep

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Fine particulate matter (<2.5 µm, PM2.5) air pollution is a leading risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide. The largest portion of adverse health effects is from cardiovascular diseases. In North America, PM2.5 concentrations have shown a steady decline over the past several decades; however, the opposite trend has occurred throughout much of the developing world whereby daily concentrations commonly reach extraordinarily high levels. While air quality regulations can reduce air pollution at a societal level, what individuals can do to reduce their personal exposures remains an active field of investigation. Here, we review the emerging evidence that several interventions (e.g., air filters) and/or behavioral changes can lower PM pollution exposure and as such, may be capable of mitigating the ensuing adverse cardiovascular health consequences. Air pollution remains a worldwide epidemic and a multi-tiered prevention strategy is required in order to optimally protect global public health.

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“…For example, symptoms are higher among persons with low level of education and members of minority groups (Lissåker et al 2014; Orru et al 2015). This relationship has been explained by the capacity to cope with risks related to one’s physical or psychological well-being.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aspects that may modify risk perception include social status and level of perceived control a person has over one’s wellbeing, and are thereby important predictors of health symptoms. For example, symptoms are higher among persons with low level of education and members of minority groups (Lissåker et al 2014 ; Orru et al 2015 ). This relationship has been explained by the capacity to cope with risks related to one’s physical or psychological well-being.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of perceived air pollution and health risk perception in health symptoms and disease: a population-based study combined with modelled levels of PM10

Orru

Nordin

Harzia

et al. 2018

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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PurposeAdverse health impact of air pollution on health may not only be associated with the level of exposure, but rather mediated by perception of the pollution and by top-down processing (e.g. beliefs of the exposure being hazardous), especially in areas with relatively low levels of pollutants. The aim of this study was to test a model that describes interrelations between air pollution (particles < 10 m, PM10), perceived pollution, health risk perception, health symptoms and diseases.MethodsA population-based questionnaire study was conducted among 1000 Estonian residents (sample was stratified by age, sex, and geographical location) about health risk perception and coping. The PM10 levels were modelled in 1 × 1 km grids using a Eulerian air quality dispersion model. Respondents were ascribed their annual mean PM10 exposure according to their home address. Path analysis was performed to test the validity of the model.ResultsThe data refute the model proposing that exposure level significantly influences symptoms and disease. Instead, the perceived exposure influences symptoms and the effect of perceived exposure on disease is mediated by health risk perception. This relationship is more pronounced in large cities compared to smaller towns or rural areas.ConclusionsPerceived pollution and health risk perception, in particular in large cities, play important roles in understanding and predicting environmentally induced symptoms and diseases at relatively low levels of air pollution.

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Status and determinants of individual actions to reduce health impacts of air pollution in US adults

Cited by 16 publications

References 19 publications

Psychosocial and demographic predictors of adherence and non-adherence to health advice accompanying air quality warning systems: a systematic review

Psychosocial and demographic predictors of adherence and non-adherence to health advice accompanying air quality warning systems: a systematic review

Understanding Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Diseases: Is It Preventable?

The role of perceived air pollution and health risk perception in health symptoms and disease: a population-based study combined with modelled levels of PM10

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