by The COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 had an unexpected positive impact on the residents of Oxford, particularly those suffering from asthma. A recent study published in BMJ Open has revealed that there was a significant decrease in hospital stays for adult asthma patients in Oxford during 2020 compared to the previous five-year average. The reduction in hospital admissions can largely be attributed to the improvements in air quality as a result of the lockdown restrictions.
The study, conducted by the OxAria research team, led by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with the University of Oxford, Oxfordshire County and City Councils, and Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, analyzed the link between acute asthma hospital admissions and air pollutant levels in the city. The lockdown measures implemented in 2020, which included restrictions on traffic and industry, led to a remarkable decrease in air pollution levels.
Various pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, showed significant declines, ranging from 18% to 33% compared to the average values of the previous five-year period. This reduction in air pollution levels was found to be strongly correlated with a decrease in the rate of acute asthma care provision for adult residents in the four postcodes of Oxford city. The number of hospital stays for asthma patients decreased from 78 per 100,000 residents in the years 2015-2019 to 46 per 100,000 residents in 2020, representing a 41% reduction.
Dr. Suzanne Bartington, the lead author of the study and clinical associate professor of environmental health at the University of Birmingham, emphasized the unique opportunity presented by the COVID-19 lockdowns to observe the impact of reduced traffic and industry on air quality. The study’s findings highlight the significant improvement in air quality in Oxford during the pandemic, with major air pollutants reaching remarkably low levels.
The decrease in air pollution levels is believed to have had a direct impact on the number of severe asthma cases requiring hospitalization, resulting in a reduction of 41% in hospital stays compared to the previous five-year average. The study also revealed a 4% increase in the risk of asthma hospital admissions for every 1 μg/m³ increase in mean monthly nitrogen dioxide levels and an approximate 3% increase in risk for every 1 μg/m³ increase in mean monthly particulate matter (PM2.5) levels.
This study is instrumental in providing a deeper understanding of the relationship between air quality and demand for hospital care. While previous studies on lockdown air pollution predominantly focused on major cities like London and Birmingham, the findings from Oxford, a smaller city or large town with a residential population, offer valuable insights applicable to similar areas.
Councilor Nathan Ley, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities, and Community Safety, acknowledged the unprecedented opportunity provided by the pandemic to study the health impacts of reduced traffic and pollutants. He emphasized the significance of the results and stressed the importance of utilizing the findings to enhance the environment in alignment with the Clean Air Strategy implemented by the council.
The persistent presence of elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5, and PM10 poses significant health risks, including heart disease, chronic lung disease, cancers, and preterm births. The Oxfordshire County Council remains determined to address this issue and lead the way in cleaning up the air to protect residents’ health and save lives.
Councilor Anna Railton, cabinet member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice, Oxford City Council, highlighted the findings as further evidence of the link between air pollution and residents’ health. It is therefore crucial to continue making necessary changes to improve air quality throughout Oxford.
In conclusion, the research conducted in Oxford confirms the substantial impact of improved air quality during the COVID-19 lockdowns on the reduction of hospital stays for adult asthma patients. These findings provide valuable insights into the connection between air pollution and health outcomes, underscoring the importance of continuing efforts to improve air quality and protect the well-being of residents.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
