Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The goal of this observational study is to compare the effects of air pollution exposure and nutrition between neighborhoods with high and low social vulnerability scores. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Does living in a neighborhood with high or low vulnerability influence the response of the heart, lungs, and immune system to air pollution. * Does nutritional status alter the association between air pollution exposure and changes in the heart, lungs, and immune system. Participants (age 25-70 years) that live in neighborhoods ranked high or low on the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) will take part in 3 visits. Each visit involves the following: * Measurements of heart activity, lung function, and blood to measure changes that may be caused by air pollution. * Questionnaires about the types of food eaten and activities that may modify exposure to air pollution. * Estimation of air pollution exposure using a study iPhone. Participants will carry a study iPhone with them for 24 hours at each visit. The study iPhone runs an application (app) that estimates the amount of air pollution each participant is exposed to. * Wearing silicone wristbands for a week before each study visit. Silicone wristbands absorb air pollutants and are later measured see the types and amounts of chemicals participants are exposed to.
Acute and chronic exposure to air pollution are well-established risk factors for all-cause mortality, mainly driven by cardiovascular and respiratory disease. The health effects of air pollution exposure have been shown to be mediated by a range of community level and personal factors, including the presence of preexisting medical conditions, age, and socioeconomic status (SES). Individuals who reside in lower SES communities are more likely to experience increased air pollution. The effects of air pollution among those residing in less advantaged communities may be further compounded by redu…
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 25-70 years old males and females. * Residing in Zip Code Tabulation Area in Raleigh-Durham great triangle area representing high or low social vulnerability index (SVI). * Continuous residence at the same address during previous one year. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with a diagnosis of COVID-19 and have persistent symptoms due to that infection (e.g., shortness of breath) or symptoms consistent with "long COVID". * Individuals not "up to date" on their vaccinations for COVID-19. \[which means a person who has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, incl…