Associations between Reduced PM2.5 and Improved Health during China's Clean Air Actions since 2013

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: China has conducted the Clean Air Actions, which have reduced the PM2.5 concentrations rapidly. Here I present a series of studies, which examined whether the improved air quality was associated with improvements in multiple dimensions of public health. METHODS: We applied quasi-experimental studied to examine how the health statues changed before and after the conduction of the China's Clean Air Actions, since 2013, among the nation- or region-representative adult samples. We examined the associations between the reduced concentrations of PM2.5 and indicators of lung function, metabolic disorders, mental health, and medical expenditure. RESULTS:We found the PM2.5 reductions were significantly associated to (1) an improved peak exhale flow, (2) a decreased level of blood pressure, (3) an improved lipid profiles, (4) a decreased score of depressive risk, and (5) a saved money in medical cost in China. Some of the relevant results have been published in PLoS Medicine, The Lancet Regional Health, Environment International and etc.. All the results are finalized. CONCLUSIONS:China's clean air actions have protected the public health by reducing the levels of particulate pollution. KEYWORDS: Clean Air Actions, PM2.5, Public Health, Medical expenditure, Lung function