Perspectives in Household Air Pollution Research: Who Will Benefit from Interventions? Curr Envir Health Rpt, July 2014.
Authors: Maggie L. Clark & Jennifer L. Peel
Despite increasing recognition surrounding this global environmental health problem, much remains to be elucidated regarding exposure response relationships, particularly among potentially susceptible population subgroups. Given that many of the communities most affected by household air pollution exposures also experience elevated exposures to poverty, psychosocial stressors, other environmental pollutants, and comorbid conditions, research needs to correctly specify risks due to these potentially interacting risk factors. Although suggestive evidence exists for differential improvements in health following reductions in ambient air pollution concentrations among specific subgroups, the question remains as to who will benefit and to what extent from efforts to reduce exposures to emissions from household solid fuel combustion. The ability to know what to expect from cookstove interventions and to accurately describe the presence of distinct subgroup responses is crucial to reduce uncertainty and to encourage policy makers to enact change.
