In their latest study, scientists from RECETOX (MUNI), the University at Buffalo in the U.S., the National Institute of Public Health in Prague, and University College London in the U.K. found that education plays a role in protecting lung health during the aging process.
People with higher levels of education tend to have better lung function compared to those with less education. Part of this is because better-educated individuals are less exposed to harmful air pollutants like particulate matter. However, education also has a direct, independent effect on lung health, beyond just reducing exposure to pollution. Direct effects are the portion of an effect that does not depend on intermediaries. In other words, they represent the impact of education on lung health that is not channeled through other factors like air pollution, health behaviors, or access to healthcare. However, scientists are still trying to discover the mechanism of the direct effect of education.
The findings highlight the strong connection between environmental and social factors and health outcomes. The study addresses the widely debated question of how education shapes our health.
“As urbanization and air pollution continue to pose significant challenges, understanding the role of education in influencing exposure and health can inform more effective policies. This knowledge is crucial for guiding government resources to those who need them most, helping to combat unjust health inequities in a timely and targeted manner,” says the lead author of the paper, Consuelo Quispe-Haro.
This publication would not have been possible without the valuable contributions of citizens. The researchers analyzed data from 6,381 older adults across seven Czech cities who participated in a long-term health study initiated in 2002.
“The participants underwent lung function tests using a spirometer and shared information about their education levels and health behaviors. To assess air quality, we incorporated pollution data from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI), linking it to participants’ residential areas. By analyzing these datasets, we identified patterns in exposure and lung function. Using advanced statistical techniques like path analysis, we were able to unravel both the direct and indirect effects of education on lung health,” explains Consuelo Quispe-Haro.
The authors have disclosed the receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: the HAPIEE study was funded by the Wellcome Trust (grant WT064947 and WT081081), the US National Institute of Aging (grant R01 AG23522), and the MacArthur Foundation. This work was financially supported by the project Systemic Risk Institute (LX22NPO5101, NPO - EXCELES) funded by the European Union - Next Generation EU.
The DOI for the study: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174556
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