New research reveals that green spaces can significantly lower mortality risks in type 2 diabetes patients by reducing harmful air pollutants like PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide, offering a promising strategy for urban environments. Association of residential air pollution and green space with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in individuals with diabetes: an 11-year prospective cohort study .
Image Credit: LedyX / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal eBioMedicine , researchers in China examined the impact of exposure to residential air pollution on cause-specific mortality rates among type 2 diabetes patients and the mitigating effects of green spaces in residential areas through a prospective cohort-based analysis. Background Diabetes is a rapidly growing global health concern, with over 500 million cases by 2021 and a global prevalence of 6.1%.
The diabetes rates in China are especially high at 12.4%, according to 2018 statistics, leading to significant healthcare burdens and costs. Diabetes is also a risk factor for mortality due to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, making it imperative to understand all the risk factors for diabetes completely.
Peripheral vascular disease risk: Among type 2 diabetes patients, PM2.5 exposure had the strongest association with mortality due to peripheral vascular disease, highlighting a key vulnerable group in polluted areas. Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution is a key risk factor for type 2.