AS150 - Effect of airborne particulate matter and other air pollutants on the incidence of cardiovascular events in the Women's Health Initiative observational study

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Investigator Names and Contact Information

Joel Kaufman, MD, MPH

Study Goals

Assess the effect of long-term exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution and other pollutants on the incidence of cardiovascular events in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, adjusting for potential confounders and assessing effect modifiers.  Assessment of effect modification by subject characteristics may provide insight into susceptibility to, or mechanisms of, PM health effects.

Specific Aims

1) To determine the association between long-term exposures to fine particulate air pollution and incident cardiovascular events and total mortality in 50-79 year-old women, using proportional hazards modeling.  The effects of other pollutants will also be considered.

2) To determine the degree to which subject characteristics (including sedentary lifestyle and prior health conditions) modify the relationship between air pollution and cardiovascular events.