Association between PM2.5 Exposure and Cardiovascular and Respiratory Hospital Admissions Using Spatial GIS Analysis

Particulate Matter (PM) air pollution is a serious concern in the northern Moravia region of the Czech Republic. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the risk of acute hospital admissions for cardiovascular (CVD) and respiratory diseases and PM2.5 concentrations using a geographic information system (GIS). The data on acute hospital admissions for cardiovascular (I00-99 according to ICD-10) and respiratory (J00-99) diseases was assigned to 77 geographical units (population of 601,299) based on the residence. The annual concentrations of PM2.5 in the period from 2013–2019 were assigned to these units according to the respective concentration iso-shapes. The Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each concentration category and then compared with the reference category. Statistical analyses were performed using SW STATA v.15. In 2013, approx. half of the population (56%) belonged to the PM2.5 category 34–35 µg·m−3, and 4% lived in PM2.5 concentrations ≥ 38 µg·m−3. During the analysed period, the average concentrations decreased from 30.8 to 21.4 µg·m−3. A statistically significant risk of acute hospitalization for CVD causes was identified in categories ≥ 36 µg·m−3, and for respiratory causes from 34–35 µg·m−3. With increasing concentrations, the risk of both acute cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalizations increased.