Air pollution predicts healthcare spending among older adults in the United States | Synapse
March 3, 2026Open Access
Air pollution predicts healthcare spending among older adults in the United States
Key Points
Healthcare spending may decrease with interventions targeting pm10-2.5 and no2 levels, particularly for older adults.
Interventions that reduce pollution levels could lead to lower healthcare costs in older adults, especially those needing more medical care.
Observational analysis highlights the link between air pollution and increased healthcare spending among older adults in the U.S.
These findings suggest that addressing air pollution may significantly benefit public health and reduce associated costs.
Abstract
Interventions to reduce PM10-2.5 and NO2 may mitigate societal and personal healthcare spending for older adults, particularly for those with high medical needs.