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International Journal of Public Health
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 6/2014

01-12-2014 | Review

Addressing equity in interventions to reduce air pollution in urban areas: a systematic review

Authors: Tarik Benmarhnia, Lynda Rey, Yuri Cartier, Christelle M. Clary, Séverine Deguen, Astrid Brousselle

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 6/2014

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Abstract

Objectives

We did a systematic review to assess quantitative studies investigating the association between interventions aiming to reduce air pollution, health benefits and equity effects.

Methods

Three databases were searched for studies investigating the association between evaluated interventions aiming to reduce air pollution and heath-related benefits. We designed a two-stage selection process to judge how equity was assessed and we systematically determined if there was a heterogeneous effect of the intervention between subgroups or subareas.

Results

Of 145 identified articles, 54 were reviewed in-depth with eight satisfying the inclusion criteria. This systematic review showed that interventions aiming to reduce air pollution in urban areas have a positive impact on air quality and on mortality rates, but the documented effect on equity is less straightforward.

Conclusions

Integration of equity in evidence-based public health is a great challenge nowadays. In this review we draw attention to the importance of considering equity in air pollution interventions. We also propose further methodological and theoretical challenges when assessing equity in interventions to reduce air pollution and we present opportunities to develop this research area.
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Metadata
Title
Addressing equity in interventions to reduce air pollution in urban areas: a systematic review
Authors
Tarik Benmarhnia
Lynda Rey
Yuri Cartier
Christelle M. Clary
Séverine Deguen
Astrid Brousselle
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 6/2014
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0608-0

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