Impact of Air Pollution on Residents’ Health in China: Moderating Effect Analysis Based on a Hierarchical Linear Model

Abstract

Background: Air pollution is an important factor affecting residents’ health. Methods: Based on the health data of 9959 residents from 28 provinces in China in the 2017 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), this paper uses a hierarchical linear model (HLM) to scientifically analyze the impact of air pollution on residents’ health and to explore the moderating role of air pollution in various factors influencing residents’ health. Results: Air pollution has significant negative effects on residents’ health (coef. −0.103, p < 0.01), while frequency of exercise (coef. 0.070, p < 0.01), education level (coef. 0.012, p < 0.1) and income level (coef. 0.383, p < 0.01) have positive effects on residents’ health. Air pollution has a negative moderating effect on the positive impact of exercise frequency on residents’ health (coef. −0.015, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Air pollution causes serious damage to residents’ health and it is necessary to control air pollution. Increasing residents’ income, education level and exercise frequency can help improve residents’ health level. Air pollution significantly reduce the positive impact of exercise frequency on residents’ health. In order to effectively improve their own health, it is a better choice for residents to exercise when the air quality is good.