The Impact of Air Pollution on Public Health and Economy: Evidence From a Large Chinese City
Author(s)
Yulun Luo, master1, Shuli Zhang, master2, Qiu Zhang, PhD3, Yingjie Wang, master1, Xutong Huang, master1, Linwei Liu, master1, Chuanlin Zhang, master4.
1Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, GuangZhou, China, 2School of Health Sciences, Guangdong Vocational University of Science and Technology,, GuangZhou, China, 3Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China, China, 4Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.
1Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, GuangZhou, China, 2School of Health Sciences, Guangdong Vocational University of Science and Technology,, GuangZhou, China, 3Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China, China, 4Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.
OBJECTIVES: This study assesses the impact of air pollution (especially PM2.5 and PM10) on public health in Guangzhou and quantifies the economic burden, providing support for the development of scientific pollution control policies.
METHODS: We used monthly pollution data for PM2.5 and PM10 in Guangzhou from 2017 to 2024, along with population and mortality data, to conduct spatiotemporal distribution analysis. The exposure-response coefficient model was used to evaluate the health effects of air pollution, and economic loss estimates were incorporated to explore the health burden.
RESULTS: 1.Pollution Changes: Between 2017 and 2024, the annual average concentration of PM2.5 decreased from 35.42 µg/m³ to 19.80 µg/m³ (a 44.1% reduction), and PM10 dropped from 55.83 µg/m³ to 34.60 µg/m³ (a 38.0% reduction).2.Health Effects: From 2017 to 2023, excess deaths from cardiovascular diseases caused by PM2.5 decreased from 484 to 392 (a 19.0% reduction), while excess deaths from respiratory diseases rose from 131 to 266 (an increase of 103.1%). For PM10, excess deaths from cardiovascular diseases decreased from 678 to 653 (a 3.7% reduction), while respiratory disease-related excess deaths increased from 477 to 694 (an increase of 45.5%).3.Economic Losses: Economic losses due to PM2.5 increased from CNY 0.591 billion to CNY 1.155 billion (a 95.4% increase), while PM10 losses rose from CNY 1.109 billion to CNY 1.861 billion (a 67.8% increase).
CONCLUSIONS: From 2017 to 2023, excess deaths due to PM2.5 and PM10 from respiratory diseases showed an upward trend, while excess deaths from cardiovascular diseases declined. Additionally, the economic losses resulting from excess deaths due to air pollution have increased annually, with the economic burden of respiratory diseases growing at a significantly faster rate than that of cardiovascular diseases. This trend indicates that respiratory diseases are gradually becoming the primary source of health burden and economic pressure caused by air pollution.
METHODS: We used monthly pollution data for PM2.5 and PM10 in Guangzhou from 2017 to 2024, along with population and mortality data, to conduct spatiotemporal distribution analysis. The exposure-response coefficient model was used to evaluate the health effects of air pollution, and economic loss estimates were incorporated to explore the health burden.
RESULTS: 1.Pollution Changes: Between 2017 and 2024, the annual average concentration of PM2.5 decreased from 35.42 µg/m³ to 19.80 µg/m³ (a 44.1% reduction), and PM10 dropped from 55.83 µg/m³ to 34.60 µg/m³ (a 38.0% reduction).2.Health Effects: From 2017 to 2023, excess deaths from cardiovascular diseases caused by PM2.5 decreased from 484 to 392 (a 19.0% reduction), while excess deaths from respiratory diseases rose from 131 to 266 (an increase of 103.1%). For PM10, excess deaths from cardiovascular diseases decreased from 678 to 653 (a 3.7% reduction), while respiratory disease-related excess deaths increased from 477 to 694 (an increase of 45.5%).3.Economic Losses: Economic losses due to PM2.5 increased from CNY 0.591 billion to CNY 1.155 billion (a 95.4% increase), while PM10 losses rose from CNY 1.109 billion to CNY 1.861 billion (a 67.8% increase).
CONCLUSIONS: From 2017 to 2023, excess deaths due to PM2.5 and PM10 from respiratory diseases showed an upward trend, while excess deaths from cardiovascular diseases declined. Additionally, the economic losses resulting from excess deaths due to air pollution have increased annually, with the economic burden of respiratory diseases growing at a significantly faster rate than that of cardiovascular diseases. This trend indicates that respiratory diseases are gradually becoming the primary source of health burden and economic pressure caused by air pollution.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH241
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory)