The br2 – weighting Method for Estimating the Effects of Air Pollution on Population Health

Abstract

Uncertainties, limitations and biases may impede the correct application of concentration-response linear functions to estimate the effects of air pollution exposure on population health. The reliability of a prediction depends largely on the strength of the linear correlation between the studied variables. This work proposes the joint use of the coefficient of determination, r², with the regression slope, b, as an improved measure of the strength of the linear relation between air pollution and its effects on population health. The proposed br²‑weighting method offers more reliable inferences about the potential effects of air pollution on population health, and can be applied universally to other fields of research.