The br2-weighting Method for Estimating the Effects of Air Pollution on Population Health

Nov 1, 2016·
Goran Krstic
,
Nikolas S. Krstic
,
Mauricio Zambrano-Bigiarini
· 1 min read
Abstract
Uncertainties, limitations and biases may impede the correct application of concentration-response linear functions to estimate the effects of air pollution exposure on population health. The reliability of a prediction depends largely on the strength of the linear correlation between the studied variables. This work proposes the joint use of the coefficient of determination, r2, with the regression slope, b, as an improved measure of the strength of the linear relation between air pollution and its effects on population health. The proposed br2‑weighting method offers more reliable inferences about the potential effects of air pollution on population health, and can be applied universally to other fields of research.
Type
Publication
Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods
publications

Main conclusions

  • Estimating how air pollution affects public health often relies on simple linear models, yet these can be misleading if uncertainty and bias are overlooked.
  • This study proposes a more robust way to assess the strength of pollution–health relationships by combining the coefficient of determination (r2) with the regression slope.
  • The new br2-weighting method improves the reliability of impact estimates and can be applied broadly in environmental health and other research fields.
Citation:
Krstic, G., Krstic, N. S., & Zambrano-Bigiarini, M. (2016). The br2-weighting Method for Estimating the Effects of Air Pollution on Population Health. Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods, 15(2), 42. https://doi.org/10.22237/jmasm/1478004000
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