Association between Harmful Algal Blooms and Hospital Admissions along the Indian River Lagoon Open Access
Taurone, Alexander (Spring 2019)
Abstract
Background: Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are the increased release of potentially harmful biotoxins into the air and water by blooming algae along the coastal regions. Along the southeastern coast of the United States, the negative impact of red blooms have been noticed and documented in humans, marine life, and sea birds. Water monitoring takes place to determine the onset and duration of HABs but the data havenever been used to describe the negative impacts of brown and blue/green algae of human health. Similar models have been built for Red Tide.
Objective:To use hospital admission data from counties border the Indian River Lagoon along the eastern coast of Florida to identify an association between harmful algal blooms and increased rates of admission for gastric and respiratory reasons.
Methods: Broken down by time period, region, and reason for hospital admission, crude and standardized rates of admission were examined. Rates will be standardized to compare potential regional differences for each time point. Bloom periods were established and matched control periods were determined to remove potential confounders. General trends were explored between hospital admission and demographic covariates – race, age and gender. Home ZIPcode as it related to whether or not a patient lives neighboring to the Indian River Lagoon was used to spatial measure exposure to bloom. General regionality and proximity to the bloom center was also assessed to examine association between HAB and hospital admission.
Results: Rates for admission due to gastric reasons was significant higher across the board, regardless of time period and region, for bloom periods as compared to control periods. During colder winter months or intensive blooms, respiratory rates were additionally increased. Though, during summer months, rates of hospitalization due to respiratory reasons wereactually lower during bloom periods, suggesting language and warnings during beach and tourist seasonare proving effective.
Conclusion: These results suggest that algal blooms along the Indian River Lagoon are associated with increased negative health outcomes for both respiratory and gastric reasons. Spatial analysis indicates some association exists between proximity to the IRL and increased gastric and respiratory reasons for hospital admission.
Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1
Background .......................................................................................................................... 2
Methods ................................................................................................................................ 3
Data Collection and Manipulation ..................................................................................................3
Statistical Methods .........................................................................................................................5
Results .................................................................................................................................. 7
Overall ...........................................................................................................................................7
Counties that Border Indian River Lagoon ...................................................................................8
Age-Specific Trends and Adjusted Rate Ratios .............................................................................9
First Matched Periods – 5/1 – 10/12 in 2010 and 2011 ........................................................................ 9
Second Matched Periods – 1/1 – 3/17 in 2014 and 2016 .................................................................... 10
Third Matched Periods – 5/1 – 10/12 in 2014 and 2016 ..................................................................... 11
Model Building............................................................................................................................ 12
Discussion ........................................................................................................................... 13
Limitations ......................................................................................................................... 15
Inclusion of Environmental Data ................................................................................................. 15
Conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 16
Appendix – Tables .............................................................................................................. 17
Appendix – Maps ............................................................................................................... 47
References .......................................................................................................................... 48
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