Int J Family Med Prim Care | Volume 2, Issue 3 | Research Article | Open Access

Health Status in Fence-Line Communities: The Impact of Air Pollution

Peter J Fos1*, Peggy A Honoré2, Russel L Honoré3 and Kirstin Patterson4

1Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center, Dillard University, USA
2LSU Health Sciences Center, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, USA
3U.S. Army Retired, USA
4Dillard University, USA

*Correspondance to: Peter J Fos 

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Abstract

of individuals living in fence-line communities. Previous research has focused on cancer risk in fence-line communities, showing a link between air pollution and several types of cancer. This study is focused on the health status of fence-line communities, including COVID-19 mortality. An 11-parish study area in Louisiana, known as Cancer Alley, was compared with the U.S, Louisiana, Harris County, Texas, Los Angeles County, and Philadelphia. Data were obtained from secondary sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Census. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the National Environmental Public Health Tracking System data were analyzed. Study findings were that fence-line communities demonstrated high rates of premature death, greater number of unhealthy mental days, and COVID-19 death rates. The differences in death rates for Blacks and Whites were staggering. The risk of COVID-19 death for Blacks in the 11-parish study area ranged from 1.5 times to 11.4% higher than Whites. Fence-line communities are an example of environmental injustice and the effects of slow violence from air pollution. These environmental injustices have been ignored for decades, calling for action today.

Keywords:

Health status; Air pollution; Environmental injustice; COVID-19; Population health;Covid-19; Covid; Corona Virus; Coronavirus disease 2019

Citation:

Peter J. Fos, Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center, Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70122, USA, Tel:(504) 816- 4038.

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