Bradford's Clean Air Zone helped to cut visits to the doctor - report
An interim report into the health impact of Bradford’s Clean Air Zone has found it's already having a positive effect
A CHARITY has welcomed a study that shows Bradford’s Clean Air Zone has led to hundreds fewer GP visits in the city each month.
An interim report into the health impact of Bradford’s Clean Air Zone was published on Wednesday, and shows early evidence of positive change in public health since the CAZ was launched in 2022.
A year ago, experts from Born in Bradford released the results of research into the data of 120,000 patients gathered in the city since 2018. Findings suggested air pollution was a factor for 35 per cent of GP patients with breathing issues and 49 per cent of those visiting A&E. Conditions included asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
New research, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and being presented to an international conference this month, suggests that the Clean Air Plan has helped improve both respiratory and cardiovascular health across the city.
Within one year of the Clean Air Zone being launched, the team found that on average there were 598 fewer GP visits for respiratory health and 134 fewer visits for cardiovascular health each month. This has saved the NHS an estimated £30,700 per month.
Health charity Asthma + Lung UK said the results should lead to similar schemes being adopted around the country.
The controversial Clean Air Zone sees more polluting older commercial vehicles, such as HGVs and vans, charged to enter an area that includes the city centre – stretching to parts of Shipley.
Born in Bradford director and report author, Professor Rosie McEachan, said full research into the impact of the CAZ won’t be completed for another two years, but confirmed the findings suggest the downward trend is real and gathering pace.
But she added: “Nevertheless, they’re hugely encouraging and indicate important benefits for clean air on improving health. By reducing demand for GP appointments caused by preventable pollution relate illness should help to ease the burden on our over-stretched NHS.
Researchers counted the number of patients accessing respiratory and cardiovascular services in GP settings and at the A&E department at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
Maddy Dawe, Regional Clean Air Lead at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “These findings provide further proof that clean air schemes can significantly improve public health and reduce pressure on our healthcare services. In Bradford, 1 in every 5 children has a breathing problem, and it’s estimated that at least one third of childhood asthma cases in the city are caused by air pollution – it’s damaging our lungs and deepening existing health inequalities. With the success of the Bradford Clean Air Zone becoming increasingly evident, we urgently need to see similar bold action to improve air quality across the country.”
Leader of Bradford Council, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe said: “Air quality is a key priority for us in Bradford, considering that previous BiB research demonstrated how poor air quality can put immediate pressure on hospitals and GPs and how it negatively impacts on children’s growth and brain development.
“The Clean Air Zone is proving that we can improve air quality, and our residents are staying healthier as a result.”