Gendered and Geographical Differential Effects of Airborne Fine Particulate Matter on Noncommunicable Diseases: Evidence from the Global Atmospheric Emissions and WHO SAGE Data

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, disproportionately affect socially disadvantaged populations in LMICs. Airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been shown to contribute to NCD risk, yet few studies have examined this effect and its variations by gender and geography in sub-Saharan Africa. We linked the Ghana data of the World Health Organization’s Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health to satellite-recorded PM2.5 concentrations to examine the gendered and geographical relationship between exposure to atmospheric PM2.5 and NCDs among older adults. Increasing atmospheric PM2.5 exposure was associated with higher NCD risk with significant gendered and geographical differences. A unit increase in atmospheric PM2.5 increased the relative risk ratios (RRRs) of women by 1.12 (95%CI:1.03-1.22), 1.21 (95%CI:1.11-1.32), and 1.48 (95%CI:1.20-1.81) for hypertension Stages 1, 2, and crisis respectively. The RRRs of men increased by 1.20 (95%CI:1.11-1.29) for Stage 2 hypertension. The RRRs of urban residents increased by 1.21 for stage 2 hypertension, and 1.48 for a crisis state. The effects of atmospheric PM2.5 appear particularly pronounced in women and urban residents relative to their comparative groups. These findings shed light on NCD risk and provide results to inform interventions for aging populations and environmental protection in sub-Saharan Africa.