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Air Pollution and Extended Hospital Burden: A Proxy Approach to Health and Economic Strain in the Greater Athens Area, Greece

Year: 2025

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: This study investigates the health and economic burden of air pollution in the Greater Athens Area, Greece, from 2018 to 2022, by comparing daily hospital admissions and overall hospital stays for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Using data from six major hospitals and air quality records for NO2, O3, PM10, and PM2.5, we applied a Distributed Lag Non-Linear Model to estimate cumulative relative risks (RR). Results show that while both indicators increase with declining air quality, hospital stays consistently yield higher RRs, better capturing the prolonged strain on healthcare resources. Even Fair air quality was associated with an 8% increase in hospital burden (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.06–1.12), while Extremely Poor conditions corresponded to a 24% increase (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.07–1.43). Economic estimates based on length of stay and standardized hospitalization costs indicate a substantial financial impact. These findings underscore the importance of using hospital burden as a sensitive proxy for health and economic strain, reinforcing the need for stricter air quality management and targeted public health interventions.

DOI: 10.3390/eesp2025035009

Authors: Aggelos Kladakis, Kyriaki-Maria Fameli, Konstantinos Moustris, Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos, Panagiotis Nastos

Institutions: University of West Attica, National Observatory of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Language: English

Topic: Air Quality and Health Impacts

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

OpenAlex ID: W4414094595

FWCI:

Cites: 12

Cited by:

Related to: 10