The mediating role of air pollutants in the association between education and lung function among the elderly, the HAPIEE study.

Background: Chronic exposure to air pollutants harms human health, and at a geographical level, concentrations of air pollutants are often associated with socioeconomic disadvantage.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of educational attainment and air pollution on lung function in older adults, and whether air pollution may mediate the effect of education.

Methods: The study included 6381 individuals (mean age 58.

Socioeconomic position over the life course and impaired lung function of older adults in Central and Eastern Europe: the HAPIEE study.

Background: Social differences in lung functioning have been reported, but the role of socioeconomic position (SEP) at different stages of life is less well understood, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. This study addressed this question.

Methods: The analysis included 10 160 individuals aged 45-70 years from the Czech Republic, Poland and Lithuania.