Breathing in Burden: How Air Quality Shapes Chronic Illness Across the United States

Abstract

Poor air quality, a major environmental factor affecting health, has been linked to an increase in respira- tory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, especially in cases of chronic exposure. This study examines the relationship between air pollution, specifically particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and the prevalence of chronic diseases across the US. Using publicly available datasets from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality System and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Chronic Disease Indicators, this study analyzes national trends, pollutant-disease correlations, and geographic inconsistencies. The findings show significant associations between higher PM2.5 levels and higher rates of diabetes, asthma, COPD, and cardiovascular disease. Although PM2.5 concentrations nationwide have decreased between 2000 and 2023, the disease burden is still dispropor- tionately high in areas where pollution exposure is ongoing. These results highlight the significance of early interventions, community protections, and environmental policy in lowering the risk of chronic diseases.