The mediating effect of air pollution on the association between meteorological factors and influenza-like illness in China

Abstract Purpose Although numerous studies have explored the complex relationship between air pollution, meteorological factors and respiratory infections, evidence for a mediating effect of air pollutants being involved in the association between meteorological factors and Influenza-like illness (I...

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Main Authors: Qinling Yan, Robert A. Cheke, Sanyi Tang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21651-5
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author Qinling Yan
Robert A. Cheke
Sanyi Tang
author_facet Qinling Yan
Robert A. Cheke
Sanyi Tang
author_sort Qinling Yan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Although numerous studies have explored the complex relationship between air pollution, meteorological factors and respiratory infections, evidence for a mediating effect of air pollutants being involved in the association between meteorological factors and Influenza-like illness (ILI) is limited. Methods Correlations among ILI cases, air pollutants and meteorological factors were examined with Pearson correlation analyses. Further, we formulated six candidate mediation models to explore the mediating effect of air pollutant on the association between meteorological factors and ILI infections. Results The meteorological factors minimum temperature/maximum humidity moderated by maximum humidity/minimum temperature and pressure directly affect ILI infections, and that some of meteorological factors can also indirectly affect them through air pollutants. Increases in maximum humidity and minimum temperature can directly reduce the numbers of ILI cases, or indirectly reduce them by reducing the concentration of air pollutants. Conclusion When the haze with low temperature, low humidity is forecasted by the meteorological agency, the environmental protection departments can take effective control measures to reduce the concentration of air pollutants, and public health departments should advocate human behavioral changes in order to mitigate and control ILI prevalence.
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spelling doaj-art-797badbb9ff944a5af83144ca934854e2025-02-09T12:58:32ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-02-0125111410.1186/s12889-025-21651-5The mediating effect of air pollution on the association between meteorological factors and influenza-like illness in ChinaQinling Yan0Robert A. Cheke1Sanyi Tang2School of Science, Chang’an UniversityNatural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich at MedwaySchool of Mathematical Sciences, Shanxi UniversityAbstract Purpose Although numerous studies have explored the complex relationship between air pollution, meteorological factors and respiratory infections, evidence for a mediating effect of air pollutants being involved in the association between meteorological factors and Influenza-like illness (ILI) is limited. Methods Correlations among ILI cases, air pollutants and meteorological factors were examined with Pearson correlation analyses. Further, we formulated six candidate mediation models to explore the mediating effect of air pollutant on the association between meteorological factors and ILI infections. Results The meteorological factors minimum temperature/maximum humidity moderated by maximum humidity/minimum temperature and pressure directly affect ILI infections, and that some of meteorological factors can also indirectly affect them through air pollutants. Increases in maximum humidity and minimum temperature can directly reduce the numbers of ILI cases, or indirectly reduce them by reducing the concentration of air pollutants. Conclusion When the haze with low temperature, low humidity is forecasted by the meteorological agency, the environmental protection departments can take effective control measures to reduce the concentration of air pollutants, and public health departments should advocate human behavioral changes in order to mitigate and control ILI prevalence.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21651-5Mediating effectModel selectionAir pollutionMeteorological factorsInfluenza-like illness (ILI)
spellingShingle Qinling Yan
Robert A. Cheke
Sanyi Tang
The mediating effect of air pollution on the association between meteorological factors and influenza-like illness in China
BMC Public Health
Mediating effect
Model selection
Air pollution
Meteorological factors
Influenza-like illness (ILI)
title The mediating effect of air pollution on the association between meteorological factors and influenza-like illness in China
title_full The mediating effect of air pollution on the association between meteorological factors and influenza-like illness in China
title_fullStr The mediating effect of air pollution on the association between meteorological factors and influenza-like illness in China
title_full_unstemmed The mediating effect of air pollution on the association between meteorological factors and influenza-like illness in China
title_short The mediating effect of air pollution on the association between meteorological factors and influenza-like illness in China
title_sort mediating effect of air pollution on the association between meteorological factors and influenza like illness in china
topic Mediating effect
Model selection
Air pollution
Meteorological factors
Influenza-like illness (ILI)
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21651-5
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