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Cowan KN, Krajewski AK, Jimenez MP, Luben TJ, Messer LC, Rappazzo KM. Examining modification of the associations between air pollution and birth outcomes by neighborhood deprivation in a North Carolina birth cohort, 2011-2015. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2024; 6:1304749. [PMID: 39055124 PMCID: PMC11269152 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2024.1304749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence from studies of air pollutants and birth outcomes suggests an association, but uncertainties around geographical variability and modifying factors still remain. As neighborhood-level social characteristics are associated with birth outcomes, we assess whether neighborhood deprivation level is an effect measure modifier on the association between air pollution and birth outcomes in a North Carolina birth cohort. Methods Using birth certificate data, all North Carolina residential singleton live births from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2015 with gestational ages of 20-44 weeks (n = 566,799) were examined for birth defect diagnoses and preterm birth. Exposures were daily average fine particulate matter (PM2.5), daily 8-h maximum nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and daily 8-h maximum ozone (O3) modeled concentrations, and the modifier of interest was the neighborhood deprivation index (NDI). Linear binomial models were used to estimate the prevalence differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between ambient air pollution and birth defect diagnoses. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate risk differences (RDs) and 95% CIs for air pollution and preterm birth. Models were stratified by the neighborhood deprivation index group (low, medium, or high) to assess potential modification by NDI. Results Approximately 3.1% of the study population had at least one birth defect and 8.18% were born preterm. For preterm birth, associations with PM2.5 and O3 did not follow a conclusive pattern and there was no evidence of modification by NDI. The associations between NO2 and preterm birth were generally negative across exposure windows except for a positive association with NO2 and preterm birth for high NDI [RD: 34.70 (95% CI 4.84-64.56)] for entire pregnancy exposure. There was no evidence of associations between pollutants examined and birth defects. Conclusions There may be differences in the association between NO2 exposure and preterm birth by NDI but we did not observe any evidence of associations for birth defects. Our results support the public health protection afforded by reductions in air pollution, even in areas of neighborhood deprivation, but future research conducted in areas with higher levels of air pollution and evaluating the potential for modification by neighborhood deprivation level would be informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen N. Cowan
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Alison K. Krajewski
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency,Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Monica P. Jimenez
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Thomas J. Luben
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency,Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Lynne C. Messer
- Departments of Community Health and Health Promotion and Epidemiology, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Kristen M. Rappazzo
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency,Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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Shaw GM, Gonzalez DJX, Goin DE, Weber KA, Padula AM. Ambient Environment and the Epidemiology of Preterm Birth. Clin Perinatol 2024; 51:361-377. [PMID: 38705646 DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2024.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB) is associated with substantial mortality and morbidity. We describe environmental factors that may influence PTB risks. We focus on exposures associated with an individual's ambient environment, such as air pollutants, water contaminants, extreme heat, and proximities to point sources (oil/gas development or waste sites) and greenspace. These exposures may further vary by other PTB risk factors such as social constructs and stress. Future examinations of risks associated with ambient environment exposures would benefit from consideration toward multiple exposures - the exposome - and factors that modify risk including variations associated with the structural genome, epigenome, social stressors, and diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary M Shaw
- Epidemiology and Population Health, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Center for Academic Medicine (CAM), 453 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94304, USA.
| | - David J X Gonzalez
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, 2121 Berkeley Way, CA 94720, USA
| | - Dana E Goin
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Kari A Weber
- Department of Epidemiology, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, RAHN 6219, Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Amy M Padula
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, #103N, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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Darrow LA, Huang M, Warren JL, Strickland MJ, Holmes HA, Newman AJ, Chang HH. Preterm and Early-Term Delivery After Heat Waves in 50 US Metropolitan Areas. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2412055. [PMID: 38787560 PMCID: PMC11127119 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.12055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Heat waves are increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration and may be acutely associated with pregnancy outcomes. Objective To examine changes in daily rates of preterm and early-term birth after heat waves in a 25-year nationwide study. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study of singleton births used birth records from 1993 to 2017 from the 50 most populous US metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). The study included 53 million births, covering 52.8% of US births over the period. Data were analyzed between October 2022 and March 2023 at the National Center for Health Statistics. Exposures Daily temperature data from Daymet at 1-km2 resolution were averaged over each MSA using population weighting. Heat waves were defined in the 4 days (lag, 0-3 days) or 7 days (lag, 0-6 days) preceding birth. Main Outcomes and Measures Daily counts of preterm birth (28 to <37 weeks), early-term birth (37 to <39 weeks), and ongoing pregnancies in each gestational week on each day were enumerated in each MSA. Rate ratios for heat wave metrics were obtained from time-series models restricted to the warm season (May to September) adjusting for MSA, year, day of season, and day of week, and offset by pregnancies at risk. Results There were 53 154 816 eligible births in the 50 MSAs from 1993 to 2017; 2 153 609 preterm births and 5 795 313 early-term births occurring in the warm season were analyzed. A total of 30.0% of mothers were younger than 25 years, 53.8% were 25 to 34 years, and 16.3% were 35 years or older. Heat waves were positively associated with daily rates of preterm and early-term births, showing a dose-response association with heat wave duration and temperatures and stronger associations in the more acute 4-day window. After 4 consecutive days of mean temperatures exceeding the local 97.5th percentile, the rate ratio for preterm birth was 1.02 (95% CI, 1.00-1.03), and the rate ratio for early-term birth was 1.01 (95% CI, 1.01-1.02). For the same exposure, among those who were 29 years of age or younger, had a high school education or less, and belonged to a racial or ethnic minority group, the rate ratios were 1.04 (95% CI, 1.02-1.06) for preterm birth and 1.03 (95% CI, 1.02-1.05) for early-term birth. Results were robust to alternative heat wave definitions, excluding medically induced deliveries, and alternative statistical model specifications. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, preterm and early-term birth rates increased after heat waves, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroups. Extreme heat events have implications for perinatal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey A. Darrow
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno
| | - Mengjiao Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno
- Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems, Palo Alto, California
| | - Joshua L. Warren
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Matthew J. Strickland
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno
| | - Heather A. Holmes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Andrew J. Newman
- Research Applications Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Howard H. Chang
- Department of Biostatistics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Ye T, Guo Y, Huang W, Zhang Y, Abramson MJ, Li S. Heat Exposure, Preterm Birth, and the Role of Greenness in Australia. JAMA Pediatr 2024; 178:376-383. [PMID: 38407915 PMCID: PMC10897824 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Importance Preterm birth (PTB) is associated with adverse health outcomes. The outcomes of heat exposure during pregnancy and the moderating association of greenness with PTB remain understudied. Objective To investigate associations between heat exposure, greenness, and PTB, as well as interactions between these factors. Design, Setting, and Participants Included in this cohort study were births occurring in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, between 2000 and 2020, retrieved from New South Wales Midwives Data Collection. Participants with incomplete or missing data on their residential address or those who resided outside of New South Wales during their pregnancy were excluded. Data were analyzed from March to October 2023. Exposures Greenness measured using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and tree cover derived from satellite images. Daily extreme heat and nighttime extreme heat were defined as above the 95th percentile of community- and trimester-specific daily mean temperatures and nighttime temperatures. Main Outcomes and Measures Logistic regression models estimated the independent association of extreme heat with PTB, adjusting for individual- and area-level covariates, season of conception, and long-term trend. An interaction term between extreme heat exposure and greenness was included to explore potential modification. With a significant interaction observed, the number of preventable heat-associated PTBs that were associated with greenness was estimated. Results A total of 1 225 722 births (median [IQR] age, 39 [38-40] weeks; 631 005 male [51.5%]) were included in the analysis, including 63 144 PTBs (median [IQR] age, 35 [34-36] weeks; 34 822 male [55.1%]). Compared with those without heat exposure, exposure to daily extreme heat and nighttime extreme heat in the third trimester was associated with increased risks of PTB, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.61 (95% CI, 1.55-1.67) and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.46-1.56]), respectively (PTB rates: exposed, 4615 of 61 338 [7.5%] vs unexposed, 56 440 of 1 162 295 [4.9%] for daily extreme heat and 4332 of 61 337 [7.1%] vs 56 723 of 1 162 296 [4.9%] for nighttime extreme heat). Disparities in associations between extreme heat exposure and PTB were observed, with lower odds of PTB among pregnant individuals residing in greener areas. The associations between extreme heat exposure and PTB could be mitigated significantly by higher greenness. Improving NDVI and tree cover could reduce daily extreme heat-associated PTB by 13.7% (95% CI, 2.3%-15.1%) and 20.9% (95% CI, 5.8%-31.5%), respectively. For nighttime extreme heat-associated PTB, reductions were 13.0% (0.2%-15.4%) and 17.2% (4.1%-27.0%), respectively. Conclusions and Relevance Results of this large birth cohort study suggest that extreme heat exposure was adversely associated with PTB, with greenness playing a moderating role. Increasing greenness levels in residential communities could prevent heat-associated PTBs. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating heat mitigation strategies and improving green space in urban planning and public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ye
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yuming Guo
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wenzhong Huang
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael J. Abramson
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Khosravipour M, Golbabaei F. Short-term ambient temperature variations and incidence of preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 256:114319. [PMID: 38171266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the short-term effects of ambient temperature variations exposures on the incidence of preterm birth (PTB) for each single lag day (lag0 to lag6) and cumulative lag days (lag0-1 to lag0-6) up to a week before birth. To find relevant publications, online databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus were searched with appropriate keywords and Mesh terms from their inception to October 25, 2023. Overall, the number of 39 observational studies with 12.5 million pregnant women and 700.000 cases of PTB met our eligibility criteria. The associations of temperature variations with the incidence of PTB were investigated with two different meta-analyses, including the percentile meta-analysis (comparing different percentiles (P1 to P99) with a referent percentile (P50)), and the linear meta-analysis (per 5 °C increment of the temperature levels). For the percentile meta-analysis, we observed both extreme cold (P1, only lag 0) and heat (P95 and P99 with the highest risk at lag1 and lag0-6) exposures can be significantly associated with a higher risk of PTB. The pooled RR (95 % CI) per 5 °C increase in the temperature levels at lag0-6 was estimated as 1.038 (1.018, 1.058) for the overall analysis. Subgroup analysis based on the season shows a significant association in the warm season (RR = 1.082 and 95 % CI = 1.036, 1.128) at all lag days but not the cold season. For the single lag day, we observed the risk of PTB is the highest at lag1 and decreased with moving to lag6. In sum, we suppose there is a nearly V-shape non-linear association between air temperature levels and the incidence of PTB with the linear relationship for each unit increase (also decrease) in the temperature levels above (also below) moderate temperature limits. Future studies should investigate possible association of occupational heat and cold exposure during pregnancy on the incidence of adverse birth outcomes such as PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Khosravipour
- Occupational Health Engineering Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farideh Golbabaei
- Occupational Health Engineering Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Min J, Lee W, Oh J, Kwag Y, Kim E, Kim JM, Lee KA, Ha E. Disparities in the association between ambient temperature and preterm birth according to individual and regional characteristics: a nationwide time-stratified case-crossover study. Environ Health 2024; 23:23. [PMID: 38389085 PMCID: PMC10882820 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-024-01062-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have reported that climate change elevates heat exposure in pregnant women and high temperatures during pregnancy are associated with preterm births (PTBs). Although the association might be disproportionate, related evidence remains sparse. We evaluated the disproportionate risk of PTB associated with ambient temperature during pregnancy by individual and regional characteristics in South Korea. METHODS We collected data on birth certificates and daily mean temperatures during the period from 2011 to 2019. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used to investigate the association between temperature and PTB and stratified analyses were conducted to examine the effect modification of individual and regional characteristics. RESULTS A total of 160,067 singleton PTBs were recorded in Korea from 2011 to 2019. A 5℃ increase in the mean temperature during the last four weeks before delivery was associated with an increased risk of PTB with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 1.05), and the association was more evident in mothers aged ≥35 years (OR: 1.06 [95% CI: 1.03, 1.10]) and with low education levels (OR: 1.04 [95% CI: 1.02, 1.05]). Additionally, the estimated risk was evident in districts with lower medical resources and more prominent disparities were shown by individual and regional characteristics in rural areas than in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that the risk of PTB related to ambient temperature is disproportionate by individual and regional characteristics and suggests the need for public health policies to alleviate the disparities, especially in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieun Min
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Whanhee Lee
- School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, College of Information and Biomedical Engineering, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongmin Oh
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Ewha-SCL for Environmental Health (IESEH), SCL for Environmental Health (IESEH), Ewha Womans University College of MedicineEwha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Human Systems Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngrin Kwag
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunji Kim
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joyce Mary Kim
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung A Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eunhee Ha
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Ewha-SCL for Environmental Health (IESEH), SCL for Environmental Health (IESEH), Ewha Womans University College of MedicineEwha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Medical Science, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine and Ewha Medical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Xiao X, Liu R, Zhang Z, Jalaludin B, Heinrich J, Lao X, Morawska L, Dharmage SC, Knibbs LD, Dong GH, Gao M, Yin C. Using individual approach to examine the association between urban heat island and preterm birth: A nationwide cohort study in China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108356. [PMID: 38043323 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that maternal exposure to heat might increase the risk of preterm birth (PTB), but no study has investigated the effect from urban heat island (UHI) at individual level. AIMS Our study aimed to investigate the association between individual UHI exposure and PTB. METHODS We utilized data from the ongoing China Birth Cohort Study (CBCS), encompassing 103,040 birth records up to December 2020. UHI exposure was estimated for each participant using a novel individual assessment method based on temperature data and satellite-derived land cover data. We used generalized linear mixed-effects models to estimate the association between UHI exposure and PTB, adjusting for potential confounders including maternal characteristics and environmental factors. RESULTS Consistent and statistically significant associations between UHI exposure and PTB were observed up to 21 days before birth. A 5 °C increment in UHI exposure was associated with 27 % higher risk (OR = 1.27, 95 % confident interval: 1.20, 1.34) of preterm birth in lagged day 1. Stratified analysis indicated that the associations were more pronounced in participants who were older, had higher pre-pregnancy body mass index level, of higher socioeconomic status and living in greener areas. CONCLUSION Maternal exposure to UHI was associated with increased risk of PTB. These findings have implications for developing targeted interventions for susceptible subgroups of pregnant women. More research is needed to validate our findings of increased risk of preterm birth due to UHI exposure among pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Xiao
- Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ruixia Liu
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Bin Jalaludin
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Kensington 2052, Australia
| | - Joachim Heinrich
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich 80336, Germany
| | - Xiangqian Lao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, the City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lidia Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Australia
| | - Shyamali C Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Luke D Knibbs
- School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Public Health Research Analytics and Methods for Evidence, Public Health Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Meng Gao
- Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and Macau (CORE), Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100026, China.
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8
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Guo Y, Chen P, Xie Y, Wang Y, Mu Y, Zhou R, Niu Y, Shi X, Zhu J, Liang J, Liu Q. Association of Daytime-Only, Nighttime-Only, and Compound Heat Waves With Preterm Birth by Urban-Rural Area and Regional Socioeconomic Status in China. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2326987. [PMID: 37566422 PMCID: PMC10422195 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.26987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Associations between heat waves and preterm birth (PTB) have been reported. However, associations of daytime-only, nighttime-only, and compound heat waves with PTB have yet to be explored at a national level. Furthermore, possible heterogeneity across urban-rural communities with different socioeconomic statuses needs to be explored. Objective To examine the association between daytime-only, nighttime-only, and compound heat waves and PTB in China and to find variations between urban and rural regions. Design, Setting, and Participants This case-crossover study used nationwide representative birth data between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2019, from China's National Maternal Near Miss Surveillance System. This multisite study covered 30 provinces in China and ensured the representation of urban and rural populations across 3 socioeconomic regions. Singleton live births delivered in the warm seasons from April to October during the study period were included. Exclusion criteria consisted of gestational age younger than 20 or older than 45 weeks, maternal ages younger than 13 or older than 50 years, conception dates earlier than 20 weeks before January 1, 2012, and later than 45 weeks before December 31, 2019, and an inconsistent combination of birthweight and gestational age according to growth standard curves of Chinese newborns. Data were analyzed from September 10, 2021, to April 25, 2023. Exposures Eighteen definitions of heat waves by 3 distinct types, including daytime only (only daily maximum temperature exceeds thresholds), nighttime only (only daily minimum temperature exceeds thresholds), and compound (both daily maximum and minimum temperature exceeds thresholds) heat waves, and 6 indexes, including 75th percentile of daily temperature thresholds for 2 or more (75th-D2), 3 or more (75th-D3), or 4 or more (75th-D4) consecutive days and 90th percentile of daily temperature thresholds for 2 or more (90th-D2), 3 or more (90th-D3), and 4 or more (90th-D4) consecutive days. Main Outcomes and Measures Preterm births with less than 37 completed weeks of gestation. Results Among the 5 446 088 singleton births in the final analytic sample (maternal mean [SD] age, 28.8 [4.8] years), 310 384 were PTBs (maternal mean [SD] age, 29.5 [5.5] years). Compared with unexposed women, exposure of pregnant women to compound heat waves in the last week before delivery was associated with higher risk for PTB, with the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) ranging from 1.02 (95% CI, 1.00-1.03) to 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01-1.07) in 6 indexes. For daytime-only heat wave exposures, AORs ranged from 1.03 (95% CI, 1.01-1.05) to 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01-1.08) in the 75th-D4, 90th-D2, 90th-D3, and 90th-D4 indexes. Such associations varied by rural (AOR range, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.01-1.09] to 1.09 [95% CI, 1.04-1.14]) and urban (AOR range, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.98-1.02] to 1.01 [95% CI, 0.99-1.04]) regions during exposure to daytime-only heat waves in the 75th-D3 and 90th-D3 indexes. Conclusions and Relevance In this case-crossover study, exposure to compound and daytime-only heat waves in the last week before delivery were associated with PTB, particularly for pregnant women in rural regions exposed to daytime-only heat waves. These findings suggest that tailored urban-rural preventive measures may improve maternal health in the context of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Peiran Chen
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanxia Xie
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanping Wang
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Mu
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruobing Zhou
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Yanlin Niu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Institute for Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoming Shi
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhu
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Liang
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiyong Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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Masri S, Jin Y, Wu J. Compound Risk of Air Pollution and Heat Days and the Influence of Wildfire by SES across California, 2018-2020: Implications for Environmental Justice in the Context of Climate Change. CLIMATE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 10:145. [PMID: 38456148 PMCID: PMC10919222 DOI: 10.3390/cli10100145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Major wildfires and heatwaves have begun to increase in frequency throughout much of the United States, particularly in western states such as California, causing increased risk to public health. Air pollution is exacerbated by both wildfires and warmer temperatures, thus adding to such risk. With climate change and the continued increase in global average temperatures, the frequency of major wildfires, heat days, and unhealthy air pollution episodes is projected to increase, resulting in the potential for compounding risks. Risks will likely vary by region and may disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color. In this study, we processed daily particulate matter (PM) data from over 18,000 low-cost PurpleAir sensors, along with gridMET daily maximum temperature data and government-compiled wildfire perimeter data from 2018-2020 in order to examine the occurrence of compound risk (CR) days (characterized by high temperature and high PM2.5) at the census tract level in California, and to understand how such days have been impacted by the occurrence of wildfires. Using American Community Survey data, we also examined the extent to which CR days were correlated with household income, race/ethnicity, education, and other socioeconomic factors at the census tract level. Results showed census tracts with a higher frequency of CR days to have statistically higher rates of poverty and unemployment, along with high proportions of child residents and households without computers. The frequency of CR days and elevated daily PM2.5 concentrations appeared to be strongly related to the occurrence of nearby wildfires, with over 20% of days with sensor-measured average PM2.5 > 35 μg/m3 showing a wildfire within a 100 km radius and over two-thirds of estimated CR days falling on such days with a nearby wildfire. Findings from this study are important to policymakers and government agencies who preside over the allocation of state resources as well as organizations seeking to empower residents and establish climate resilient communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahir Masri
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Yufang Jin
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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10
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Berberian AG, Gonzalez DJX, Cushing LJ. Racial Disparities in Climate Change-Related Health Effects in the United States. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:451-464. [PMID: 35633370 PMCID: PMC9363288 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00360-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Climate change is causing warming over most parts of the USA and more extreme weather events. The health impacts of these changes are not experienced equally. We synthesize the recent evidence that climatic changes linked to global warming are having a disparate impact on the health of people of color, including children. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple studies of heat, extreme cold, hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires find evidence that people of color, including Black, Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Asian communities are at higher risk of climate-related health impacts than Whites, although this is not always the case. Studies of adults have found evidence of racial disparities related to climatic changes with respect to mortality, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, mental health, and heat-related illness. Children are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, and infants and children of color have experienced adverse perinatal outcomes, occupational heat stress, and increases in emergency department visits associated with extreme weather. The evidence strongly suggests climate change is an environmental injustice that is likely to exacerbate existing racial disparities across a broad range of health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alique G. Berberian
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, 71-259 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - David J. X. Gonzalez
- School of Public Health and Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Lara J. Cushing
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, 71-259 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
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