Risk of hospitalization for asthma associated with changes in timing of spring onset
Abstract
Spring phenology reflects the timing of vegetation growth. Previous studies have suggested changes in plant phenology is one of the most sensitive indicator of ecological response to climate change. Shifts in onset of spring likely affect the start and duration of tree pollen season, and thus may negatively impact individuals suffering from allergic diseases such as asthma. Here we aim to examine the association between changes in the start of season (SOS) and risk of asthma hospitalization in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. We obtained inpatient hospital admission data for asthma between March and May (2001-2012) in the 24 counties of Maryland (n=31,008). Long term deviations in SOS (-26 9 days), at county level, were derived using eMODIS phenology products. We used negative binomial regression to identify the association between risk of hospitalization for asthma and deviations in SOS (very early: >10 days earlier, early: 4-10 days earlier; and late: >3 days later), and further stratified the analysis across groups of age (≤4, 5-17, 18-64 and ≥ 65) and races (non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black). Our analyses showed that the risk of hospitalization for asthma in Maryland increased by 17% when the SOS was very early (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.27). Further, the risk of asthma hospitalization associated with early SOS was highest among non-Hispanic blacks (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.12-1.43). Likewise, the risk was significant among 18-64 year olds, while such increases in risk were not observed among the younger groups. Our results suggest that early start of spring season is associated with increased risk of asthma hospitalizations in Maryland. This work highlights applications of remote sensing observations to address emerging public health issues.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFMGH21C1087D
- Keywords:
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- 0230 Impacts of climate change: human health;
- GEOHEALTHDE: 0245 Vector born diseases;
- GEOHEALTHDE: 1616 Climate variability;
- GLOBAL CHANGEDE: 6334 Regional planning;
- POLICY SCIENCES