Environmental effects on type II diabetes in Virginia counties

Abstract

The causes of type II diabetes are extremely complex. A great deal of research has been conducted regarding genetic and behavioral causes. Newer avenues of research have begun to consider how certain environmental factors explain the prevalence of type II diabetes. This study examines two possible explanatory variables of an environmental nature. Pollution, specifically particulate matter (PM_2.5) and elevation are modeled in a multivariate linear regression analysis along with two known behavioral variables: obesity and inactivity. The case study area was the Commonwealth of Virginia and the aggregation was at the county level. Although previous recent research has found a relationship between type II diabetes prevalence and PM_2.5 pollution, this study did not show significant results. Elevation also did not have a significant influence on diabetes prevalence in Virginia.