We focus on four complex health issues more prevalent in urban areas
With the Social Progress Imperative, we've developed the first neighbourhood level, health-focused social progress index of its kind.
With Wellcome Trust
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Health effects of air pollution
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Marilyn is a retired art teacher who lives in Brixton with her husband and three grown-up children. As a teenager she was treated for TB and, following the recent death of her brother, has become even more concerned about her health.
Marilyn’s regular walking route includes Brixton high street. In 2017 Brixton Road had 75 hours of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations above the 200 ug/m3 levels. The legal limit is 18 hours a year.
Now I’d rather sit here than sit on the streets having a coffee – although I like watching people go by.
I sometimes cover my mouth when I’m out, and I don’t tend to sit outside because I feel that there are too many fumes around.
We still have a car, but we’re discussing whether to keep it. That’s also to do with air quality. So I only take the car when we go recycling.
“ I thought ULEZ was incredible. The mayor is actually trying to get ahead of the game. Marilyn
I thought ULEZ was incredible. The mayor is actually trying to get ahead of the game.
My assumption is air pollution is worse now – just think the number of cars. Cars that are idling, vans that are idling. But is it evidence-based? It may be a psychological thing.
I’ve noticed breathing issues, especially chest infections, even if you’re not aware of what you’re breathing, the sense of it is there. I feel it.
Piarve is the parent of Janila, 8, and has lived in Southwark all her life. Piarve works in events for an interior design company, as well as running sewing classes and other community fashion initiatives.
Sarah is an outdoor worker for an environmental education charity in Lambeth. She doesn’t own a car and tries to cycle most places, with public transport her back-up option.
Ying lives with her husband and child in Bermondsey. Being environmentally aware and a mother, she would like to know more about air pollution and how it affects our health.
Alika and Alex, 3, live in Southwark. Alika, who moved to London from Nigeria in 2000, is doing an electrical apprenticeship by day and is a youth worker by night.
The more we know about air pollution in urban areas, the more we will be able to design effective solutions.
We are running a ten-year programme to tackle the health effects of air pollution and poor air quality in cities and other urban areas.
Air pollution is linked with heart failure, strokes, poor cognition and even lung cancer in older people over 65, with high levels of particulate matter increasing their risk of hospitalisation. Our research shows that older people are less likely to point to poor air quality as an important issue to address.