An interdisciplinary team of scientists from the Universities of Leicester and other institutions has played a pivotal role in research investigating a possible link between air pollution and the rise in type 2 diabetes.
New research, published in the journal Environment International, examined data from 10,443 participants from diabetes screening studies in Leicestershire, UK.
The exposure to air pollution, the number of cases of type 2 diabetes and the impact of demographic and lifestyle factors were all considered.
The authors concluded that demographic factors largely explained the association between air pollution and type 2 diabetes.
The research team, supported by the NIHR, is comprised of University of Leicester experts from a wide variety of fields, including Earth Observation Science, the University’s Diabetes Research Centre and the Department of Health Sciences and builds upon world-leading research in these areas.
Dr Gary O'Donovan, of Loughborough University, who led the research, said: “High air pollution and low physical activity are two of the leading causes of disease and premature death in middle and high-income countries.
“Like most cities in the UK, Leicester has only a handful of air quality monitors. The UN has estimated that two thirds of world’s population will be living in cities by 2050 and our cities must become better, healthier places in which to live.
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Image source: Peter Essick
