Reconnoitering the linkage between cardiovascular disease mortality and long-term exposures to outdoor environmental factors in the USA using remotely-sensed data.

This ecological study aimed to assess the association between long-term exposures to outdoor environmental factors and mortality rate from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a diverse and spatially distributed population from 3,094 counties within the U.S. (n > 3,780,000 CVD deaths) using satellite-derived data of PM concentrations, sunlight, and maximum heat index.

Investigating the effects of environmental factors on autism spectrum disorder in the USA using remotely sensed data.

This study aimed to assess the association between exposures to outdoor environmental factors and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence in a diverse and spatially distributed population of 8-year-old children from the USA (n = 2,097,188) using the air quality index (AQI) of the US Environmental Protection Agency as well as satellite-derived data of PM concentrations, sunlight, and maximum heat index. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine whether the unhealthy AQI, PM, sunlight, and maximum heat index were related to the odds of ASD prevalence based on gender and race and taking into consideration the confounding factors of smoking and socioeconomic status. The logistic regression odds ratios for ASD per 10% increase in the unhealthy AQI were greater than 1 for all categories, indicating that unhealthy AQI is related to the odds of ASD prevalence.

The association of remotely sensed outdoor fine particulate matter with cancer incidence of respiratory system in the USA.

This study aimed to assess the association between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) and respiratory system cancer incidence in the US population (n = 295,404,580) using a satellite-derived estimate of PM concentrations. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine whether PM was related to the odds of respiratory system cancer (RSC) incidence based on gender and race. Positive linear regressions were found between PM concentrations and the age-adjusted RSC incidence rates for all groups (Males, Females, Whites, and Blacks) except for Asians and American Indians.