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Decline in hospitalization for childhood asthma in different air pollution regions in Taiwan, 2001–2012

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the trends in childhood asthma hospitalization in regions with differing levels of air pollution in Taiwan, 2001–2012. Joinpoint regression was used to identify significant trend changes. The hospitalization rate varied according to gender, geographic region, and age. The incidence of childhood asthma hospitalization decreased from 127.99 to 76.67 (/100,000 population), with an average annual percentage change of around −4.1%; in the Yilan region, the average air pollution concentrations were 19.92 μg/m3, 39.47 μg/m3, 25.99 ppb, 2.19 ppb, and 11.23 ppb for PM2.5, PM10, O3, SO2, and NO2, respectively, which were lower than Taiwan’s average values; however, the childhood asthma hospitalization rate was the highest (179.75/100,000 population). The national trend in childhood asthma hospitalization exhibited a significant decrease. The effects of air pollution on childhood asthma were greater in the higher-level air pollution regions, while less association was observed in the lower-level air pollution regions.