Fine particulate matter and preterm birth in Pennsylvania

1
Fine particulate matter and preterm birth in
Pennsylvania

• Kristen Rappazzo
• ENVR 468
• December 9, 2009

2
Background

• Preterm birth
• Rates increasing in the past 20 years in the US
• High social and economic costs
• Risk factor for later morbidity and mortality
• Fine particulate matter
• Criteria air pollutant
• Linked to multiple health outcomes

3
Methods

• Birth data acquired through CDC WONDER system
• Available at the county level, however censoring
  when number of births is small
• 30 out of 67 counties represented
• BMEGUI
• Allows production of estimates and variance at
  unmonitored locations

4
Mean trend and covariance
5
2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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Example of error variance
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Future Directions

• Acquire vital records for PA for complete birth
  data in all counties
• Examine PM speciation data