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Estimating the Impact of Air Pollution on Healthcare-Seeking Behaviour by Applying a Difference-in-Differences Method to Syndromic Surveillance Data

Author

Listed:
  • Roger Morbey

    (Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Field Service, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham B2 4BH, UK)

  • Gillian Smith

    (Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Field Service, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham B2 4BH, UK)

  • Karen Exley

    (Chemicals and Toxicology Science, UK Health Security Agency, London SE1 8UG, UK)

  • André Charlett

    (Statistics, Modelling and Economics, Analytics and Data Science, UK Health Security Agency, London NW9 5EQ, UK)

  • Daniela de Angelis

    (Statistics, Modelling and Economics, Analytics and Data Science, UK Health Security Agency, London NW9 5EQ, UK)

  • Sally Harcourt

    (Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Field Service, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham B2 4BH, UK)

  • Felipe Gonzalez

    (School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK)

  • Iain Lake

    (School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK)

  • Alec Dobney

    (Chemicals and Toxicology Science, UK Health Security Agency, London SE1 8UG, UK)

  • Alex Elliot

    (Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Field Service, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham B2 4BH, UK)

Abstract

Syndromic surveillance data were used to estimate the direct impact of air pollution on healthcare-seeking behaviour, between 1 April 2012 and 31 December 2017. A difference-in-differences approach was used to control for spatial and temporal variations that were not due to air pollution and a meta-analysis was conducted to combine estimates from different pollution periods. Significant increases were found in general practitioner (GP) out-of-hours consultations, including a 98% increase (2–386, 95% confidence interval) in acute bronchitis and a 16% (3–30) increase in National Health Service (NHS) 111 calls for eye problems. However, the numbers involved are small; for instance, roughly one extra acute bronchitis consultation in a local authority on a day when air quality is poor. These results provide additional information for healthcare planners on the impacts of localised poor air quality. However, further work is required to identify the separate impact of different pollutants.

Suggested Citation

  • Roger Morbey & Gillian Smith & Karen Exley & André Charlett & Daniela de Angelis & Sally Harcourt & Felipe Gonzalez & Iain Lake & Alec Dobney & Alex Elliot, 2022. "Estimating the Impact of Air Pollution on Healthcare-Seeking Behaviour by Applying a Difference-in-Differences Method to Syndromic Surveillance Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7097-:d:835187
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pierre Masselot & Fateh Chebana & Éric Lavigne & Céline Campagna & Pierre Gosselin & Taha B.M.J. Ouarda, 2019. "Toward an Improved Air Pollution Warning System in Quebec," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-14, June.
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