Respiratory Health and Environmental Risks Among California Children: The Role of Socioeconomic Status

Abstract Air pollution has been cited as a factor in the development of respiratory illness in children. Socioeconomic differences can intensify the effects of air pollution exposure on low-income children compared to higher-income children. This correlational study examined the relationship between air pollution exposure and respiratory health outcomes among California children, as well as the moderating role of socioeconomic status. The study was guided by the environmental health disparities framework and used secondary data from the California Environmental Health Tracking Program, analyzing data from 49 California counties (n = 49). Independent variables were PM2.5 concentrations and the number of ozone exceedance days. The dependent variable was pediatric asthma emergency department visit rates, and socioeconomic status served as the moderating variable. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses showed a significant positive association between PM2.5 exposure and pediatric respiratory health outcomes (r = .58, p < .01). Socioeconomic status significantly moderates this relationship (β = .22, p = .03), with children in lower-income areas experiencing greater respiratory burden at similar pollution levels. These findings may inform public health interventions and resource allocation in low-income and minority communities with elevated exposure to air pollution.