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Impact of Environmental Injustice on Children’s Health—Interaction between Air Pollution and Socioeconomic Status

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  • Sahana Mathiarasan

    (Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Anke Hüls

    (Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
    Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

Abstract

Air pollution disproportionately affects marginalized populations of lower socioeconomic status. There is little literature on how socioeconomic status affects the risk of exposure to air pollution and associated health outcomes, particularly for children’s health. The objective of this article was to review the existing literature on air pollution and children’s health and discern how socioeconomic status affects this association. The concept of environmental injustice recognizes how underserved communities often suffer from higher air pollution concentrations in addition to other underlying risk factors for impaired health. This exposure then exerts larger effects on their health than it does in the average population, affecting the whole body, including the lungs and the brain. Children, whose organs and mind are still developing and who do not have the means of protecting themselves or creating change, are the most vulnerable to the detrimental effects of air pollution and environmental injustice. The adverse health effects of air pollution and environmental injustice can harm children well into adulthood and may even have transgenerational effects. There is an urgent need for action in order to ensure the health and safety of future generations, as social disparities are continuously increasing, due to social discrimination and climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Sahana Mathiarasan & Anke Hüls, 2021. "Impact of Environmental Injustice on Children’s Health—Interaction between Air Pollution and Socioeconomic Status," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-10, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:795-:d:482636
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Juwel Rana & Jalal Uddin & Richard Peltier & Youssef Oulhote, 2019. "Associations between Indoor Air Pollution and Acute Respiratory Infections among Under-Five Children in Afghanistan: Do SES and Sex Matter?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Maria Elisa Di Cicco & Giuliana Ferrante & Doriana Amato & Antonino Capizzi & Carlo De Pieri & Valentina Agnese Ferraro & Maria Furno & Valentina Tranchino & Stefania La Grutta, 2020. "Climate Change and Childhood Respiratory Health: A Call to Action for Paediatricians," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Ford, C.L. & Airhihenbuwa, C.O., 2010. "Critical race theory, race equity, and public health: Toward antiracism praxis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(S1), pages 30-35.
    4. Landi, Stefano & Ivaldi, Enrico & Testi, Angela, 2018. "Socioeconomic status and waiting times for health services: An international literature review and evidence from the Italian National Health System," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(4), pages 334-351.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shereen Elshaer & Lisa J. Martin & Theresa A. Baker & Erin Roberts & Paola Rios-Santiago & Ross Kaufhold & Melinda Butsch Kovacic, 2023. "Environmental Health Knowledge Does Not Necessarily Translate to Action in Youth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Kevin Lanza & Casey P. Durand & Melody Alcazar & Sierra Ehlers & Kai Zhang & Harold W. Kohl, 2021. "School Parks as a Community Health Resource: Use of Joint-Use Parks by Children before and during COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-14, September.
    3. Séverine Deguen & Mary Amuzu & Valentin Simoncic & Wahida Kihal-Talantikite, 2022. "Exposome and Social Vulnerability: An Overview of the Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-16, March.

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