One in Ten Asthma Cases Linked to Harmful Urban Environments: Study
New Delhi: A large study has revealed that the combination of air pollution, dense urban development, and limited access to green spaces significantly increases the risk of asthma in both children and adults. Published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, the study concludes that improving urban environmental conditions could potentially prevent approximately one in ten asthma cases.
The research, led by Karolinska Institutet in Sweden as part of a major EU collaboration, analyzed data from nearly 350,000 individuals across 14 population cohorts in seven European countries. By linking participants’ residential addresses to environmental data, the researchers assessed multiple urban exposures, including levels of air pollution, outdoor temperature, population density, and the availability of green and blue spaces using satellite imagery.
What sets this study apart is its comprehensive approach to environmental risk. Over the course of the study, approximately 7,500 individuals developed asthma. The researchers found that 11.6% of these cases could be attributed to the combined effect of harmful environmental conditions, underscoring the significant role of urban design in public health outcomes.
The findings highlight the importance of integrating health considerations into city planning.
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