The air quality health index (AQHI) system in Hong Kong : as a replacement of air pollution index (API), does it provide trustable and useful information to the public?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juncheng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Air Pollution Index ◽  
The Public ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Air Quality Health Index

Assessing air quality in Hong Kong: A proposed, revised air pollution index (API)

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (12) ◽  
pp. 2562-2569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Zhen Lu ◽  
Hong-di He ◽  
Andrew Y.T. Leung
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Air Pollution Index

scholarly journals Factors influencing health behaviours in response to the air quality health index: a cross-sectional study in Hamilton, Canada

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Radisic ◽  
K. Bruce Newbold ◽  
John Eyles ◽  
Allison Williams
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Air Quality Health Index ◽  
Pollution Exposure

Research associating adverse health effects with air pollution exposure is robust. Public health authorities recognize the need to implement population health strategies that protect public health from air pollution exposure. The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a public health initiative that is intended to protect the public's health from exposure to air pollution. The aim of this research was to identify and explain factors influencing AQHI adoption at the individual level and to establish intervention strategies. A cross-sectional survey with both quantitative and qualitative questions was administered in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, during the months of June to October 2012. Logistic regression and the Health Belief Model are used to explore the data. Demographics (gender, age, education, and area of residence), knowledge/understanding, and individual risk perceptions (neighbourhood air effects on health) were found to be significant predictors of AQHI adoption. The perceived benefits of AQHI adoption included protection of health for self and those cared for via familial and (or) occupational duties, whereas the perceived barriers of AQHI adoption included lack of knowledge about where to check and lack of time required to check and follow AQHI health messages. Also, self-efficacy was uncovered as a factor influencing AQHI adoption. Accordingly, increases in AQHI adoption could be achieved via increasing AQHI knowledge among low socioeconomic status females, communicating the benefits of AQHI adoption to “at-risk” populations and implementing supports for males to follow AQHI health messages.

scholarly journals An evaluation of the Air Quality Health Index Program on respiratory diseases in Hong Kong: an interrupted time series analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonya G. Mason ◽  
C. Mary Schooling ◽  
King Pan Chan ◽  
Linwei Tian
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Air Quality Health Index

AbstractBackgroundOn December 30th, 2013, the Hong Kong government implemented the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to reduce short-term impacts of air pollution on the population. However, whether air quality alert programs, such as the AQHI, reduce morbidity is still questionable. Using a quasi-experimental design, we conducted the first evaluation of the AQHI in Hong Kong focusing on respiratory morbidity.MethodInterrupted time series with Poisson segmented regression from 2010 to 2016 were used to detect any sudden or gradual changes in emergency respiratory hospital admissions, adjusted for air pollutants (NO2, SO2, PM10, O3), temperature and humidity, when the AQHI policy was implemented. Findings were validated using three false policy periods. We also assessed changes by specific respiratory diseases (respiratory tract infections (RTI), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia) and by age.ResultsFrom January 1st, 2010-December 31st, 2016, 10576.98 deseasonalized, age- and sex-standardized hospital admissions for respiratory diseases occurred in Hong Kong. On implementation of the AQHI, RTI admissions immediately dropped by 14% (relative risk (RR) 0.86 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-0.98). In age specific analysis, immediate reductions in hospital admissions, were only apparent in children for RTI (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.96) and pneumonia (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.60-0.96).ConclusionHong Kong’s AQHI helped reduced hospital admissions in children, particularly for RTI and pneumonia. To maximize the health benefits of the policy, at risk groups need to be able to follow the behavioral changes recommended by the AQHI index.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document