Browsing by Author "SAFEER AHMAD"

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    Smog health impact and health-protective behaviors – a quantitative correlational analysis of lahore residents
    (UMT Lahore, 2025) SAFEER AHMAD
    Extreme winter smog in the city of Lahore (AQI >500) impairs the health of individuals living in the city significantly though little research has been conducted on how individuals react behaviorally towards it. In the study, perceived health impact (PHI), preexisting health vulnerabilities (PEHV), and smog exposure (SE) are evaluated as the determinants of protective actions in a probability survey of 379 adults during the peak smog season (2025). It is discovered that PEHV residents (e.g., asthmatics) take 53 percent more precautions (masks/air purifiers) whereas high-PHI personalities have a 25 percent higher protection probability. Ironically, highSE groups that are chronically exposed (such as outdoor workers) show less precaution because they became used to it, and poor-income vulnerable residents employ 37 percent lower precautions than their wealthy counterparts even with the same health risk. Suggestions are: vulnerable populations should be alerted through targeted SMS Alert in extreme AQI; lessening of the costs of protection gear as part of welfare programs; clean air shelters in high exposure corridors; and the involvement of community leaders to trigger behavioral changes. These evidence-based approaches support precision, or targeted, public health intervention in Lahore, serving the Sustainable Development Goals 3 (health), 11 (sustainable cities), and 13 (climate action), and having a positive impact on pollution control and empowerment of the residents.