Research Article
Meteorological and Environmental Drivers of Cardiovascular Health Risk in an Insular Region (Azores)
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
1-24
Received:
16 December 2024
Accepted:
7 January 2025
Published:
7 February 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ccr.20250901.11
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Abstract: Some authors share the same opinion that climatic and environmental parameters are strongly linked to health. This study investigates the impact of climatic and environmental factors on hypertension, cardiovascular and circulatory system disease admissions in the Faial Hospital. Faial is in the Azores, an insular region of Portugal. With the rise in global climate variability, understanding local effects on public health has become increasingly crucial, particularly in insular regions like the Azores. This research utilizes epidemiological, meteorological, and air quality data from Faial Island, collected from 2010 to 2019, to analyze the correlation between hospital admissions due to hypertension, circulatory and cardiovascular system diseases and variations in meteorological parameters (e.g., daily minimum, daily maximum and daily average temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, thermal amplitude, dew point, average total precipitation and atmospheric pressure at mean sea level) and air pollutants (e.g., nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone and particulate matter with diameter less than ten micrometers). The study uses statistical methods such as time series analysis, weekly percentile intervals, and principal component analysis (PCA). These methods reveal a seasonal pattern in hospital admissions related to meteorological conditions and air quality. Specifically, higher rates of admissions are associated with increased precipitation, wind speed, and temperature fluctuations during winter months. In contrast, summer shows lower admission rates corresponding to lower humidity and precipitation levels. These findings show that human health is highly sensitive to air quality and climatic conditions. This highlights the need for adaptive healthcare strategies amid environmental changes. The insights gained from this study underscore the importance of integrating meteorological and air quality monitoring into public health planning. Integrating monitoring systems is particularly crucial in regions facing dual challenges of climate change and limited healthcare resources. Proactive measures like early warning systems, predictive models, and public awareness campaigns can reduce health risks for vulnerable populations. By addressing critical knowledge gaps, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence on the interconnections between climate, air quality, and public health, providing a foundation for region-specific policies aimed at enhancing resilience to environmental changes. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the climate-health relation, offering a framework for developing region-specific policies to enhance resilience in the face of ongoing global environmental changes.
Abstract: Some authors share the same opinion that climatic and environmental parameters are strongly linked to health. This study investigates the impact of climatic and environmental factors on hypertension, cardiovascular and circulatory system disease admissions in the Faial Hospital. Faial is in the Azores, an insular region of Portugal. With the rise i...
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,
Fernanda Carvalho
