Association between exposure to ambient PM 2.5 and the health status in the mobile population from 338 cities in China

There are limited studies investigating the relationship between exposure to PM 2.5 and the health status among the mobile population. A cross-sectional analysis was performed in a nationally representative sample (2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey data) consisting of 169,469 mobile population. The ordered logistic regression model was used to examine the association between PM 2.5 and the health status in mobile population. Stratified analyses were performed to identify whether the association varied across gender, age group, and regions in China. Overall, every 10 μg/m 3 increment in annual average PM 2.5 was associated with increased risk of poor self-reported health (OR = 1.021, 95% CI: 1.012–1.030). Mobile population aged 31–49 years and living in the central region suffers the highest PM 2.5 -associated health risk (OR = 1.030, 95% CI: 1.019–1.042; OR = 1.095, 95% CI: 1.075–1.116). Our study suggests that PM 2.5 exposure was associated with an increased risk of poor self-reported health in mobile population, particularly among the population aged 31–49 years and people living in the central region of China. Policymakers should pay more attention to the vulnerable mobile population to tackle the health burden of ambient air pollution.