Assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies: health, socioeconomic, and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the U.S.
Abstract Background The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) in California is one of the most polluted regions in the U.S. This study examined favorability for air pollution mitigation policies, interventions, and identified predictors amongst region’s residents. Methods A cross-sectional online survey asked ab...
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2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21366-7 |
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| author | Gilda Zarate-Gonzalez Paul Brown Ricardo Cisneros |
| author_facet | Gilda Zarate-Gonzalez Paul Brown Ricardo Cisneros |
| author_sort | Gilda Zarate-Gonzalez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) in California is one of the most polluted regions in the U.S. This study examined favorability for air pollution mitigation policies, interventions, and identified predictors amongst region’s residents. Methods A cross-sectional online survey asked about health status and conditions, self-protective behaviors, attitudes toward air pollution recommendations, air quality information knowledge and mitigation behaviors, as well as whether their views were favorable or unfavorable towards policy and interventions. EuroQOL-5D-3L was utilized to estimate quality-of-life distribution equity and air pollution policy favorability. Results A total of 310 adults residing in the SJV participated in the survey. The mean age was 42.90 years, with 34% having asthma. People with asthma reported the lowest health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to other air pollution “sensitive” groups. Concerns included the costs, charge and attributes of adopting hybrid or electric vehicles. Residents supported air pollution control and public space preservation, with socioeconomic factors and health state being significant predictors. Left-wing ideologies favor policies charging polluters, controlling emissions, and preserving public spaces, whereas right-wing views negatively predict support for electric vehicle charges and local organization interventions. Conclusions Results may help air pollution control policymakers, public health agencies, environmental justice organizations, and the health equity research community understand the reasons for differential responses to air pollution interventions and mitigation efforts. This new knowledge could assist stakeholders in recommending sustainable and cost-effective interventions for improving air quality, elicit behavior change, and climate change adaptation in the region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b37204c1bcbf41f4924628525392fd89 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-b37204c1bcbf41f4924628525392fd892025-01-26T12:56:24ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111910.1186/s12889-025-21366-7Assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies: health, socioeconomic, and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the U.S.Gilda Zarate-Gonzalez0Paul Brown1Ricardo Cisneros2Department of Public Health, University of California, MercedDepartment of Public Health, University of California, MercedDepartment of Public Health, University of California, MercedAbstract Background The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) in California is one of the most polluted regions in the U.S. This study examined favorability for air pollution mitigation policies, interventions, and identified predictors amongst region’s residents. Methods A cross-sectional online survey asked about health status and conditions, self-protective behaviors, attitudes toward air pollution recommendations, air quality information knowledge and mitigation behaviors, as well as whether their views were favorable or unfavorable towards policy and interventions. EuroQOL-5D-3L was utilized to estimate quality-of-life distribution equity and air pollution policy favorability. Results A total of 310 adults residing in the SJV participated in the survey. The mean age was 42.90 years, with 34% having asthma. People with asthma reported the lowest health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to other air pollution “sensitive” groups. Concerns included the costs, charge and attributes of adopting hybrid or electric vehicles. Residents supported air pollution control and public space preservation, with socioeconomic factors and health state being significant predictors. Left-wing ideologies favor policies charging polluters, controlling emissions, and preserving public spaces, whereas right-wing views negatively predict support for electric vehicle charges and local organization interventions. Conclusions Results may help air pollution control policymakers, public health agencies, environmental justice organizations, and the health equity research community understand the reasons for differential responses to air pollution interventions and mitigation efforts. This new knowledge could assist stakeholders in recommending sustainable and cost-effective interventions for improving air quality, elicit behavior change, and climate change adaptation in the region.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21366-7Air pollutionAsthmaQuality-of-lifeEquityPolicyHealth economics |
| spellingShingle | Gilda Zarate-Gonzalez Paul Brown Ricardo Cisneros Assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies: health, socioeconomic, and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the U.S. BMC Public Health Air pollution Asthma Quality-of-life Equity Policy Health economics |
| title | Assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies: health, socioeconomic, and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the U.S. |
| title_full | Assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies: health, socioeconomic, and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the U.S. |
| title_fullStr | Assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies: health, socioeconomic, and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the U.S. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies: health, socioeconomic, and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the U.S. |
| title_short | Assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies: health, socioeconomic, and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the U.S. |
| title_sort | assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies health socioeconomic and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the u s |
| topic | Air pollution Asthma Quality-of-life Equity Policy Health economics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21366-7 |
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