Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in PM2.5-Attributable Deaths

We estimated differences in burden by race/ethnicity category for deaths due to nonaccidental causes and NCDs. Race/ethnicity distributions were applied to the county-level estimates to estimate the attributable burden of death associated with PM_2.5 in each race/ethnicity category. Estimates were summed across counties where data were available. Differences in burden were also estimated by ADI quartile. We analyzed the county-level age-standardized rates of death due to nonaccidental causes and NCDs associated with PM_2.5 exposure to estimate the percentage associated with racial (percentage black or African American) and socioeconomic (ADI) disparities.^{39 (link)} We additionally conducted effect modification analyses in the nonlinear exposure-response models for deaths due to nonaccidental causes and NCDs for ADI quartile and black vs nonblack race with PM_2.5. Results, including P values and the change in Akaike information criteria, are reported from the optimal model. Results were considered statistically significant at 2-tailed P < .05. Further information is provided in the eMethods in the Supplement. All analyses were performed in SAS Enterprise Guide statistical software version 7.1 (SAS Institute). Maps were generated using Tableau version 10.5 (Tableau Software).