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Effects of urbanization on air and health

Industrial zoning policies should consider commitments simultaneously. This integration can unlock
cumulative environmental impacts and proximity to additional funding sources and international support.
population centers. Concentrating heavy industries in Renewable energy development reduces both air
designated zones with appropriate pollution controls pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Vietnam’s
can reduce urban exposure while enabling economic substantial solar and wind potential could provide
development. The adoption and implementation of air- cleaner electricity while reducing coal dependence,
infiltration systems are also strongly recommended as which contributes significantly to urban air pollution.
these measures have proved effective and beneficial in Energy efficiency improvements in buildings,
mitigating air pollution and improving people’s health industry, and transportation reduce both air pollution
and quality of life. 3,4,34,35 and carbon emissions while providing economic
benefits through reduced energy costs. Comprehensive
5.2.4. Healthcare system adaptation energy efficiency programs can achieve multiple policy
While addressing pollution sources remains the primary objectives simultaneously.
priority, strengthening healthcare systems to better
manage pollution-related health impacts provides 6. Conclusion, policy implications/
important interim protection. This is particularly crucial recommendations, limitations, and future
given that substantial air quality improvements will research directions
require years to achieve.
Healthcare providers in Vietnamese cities should This study provided rigorous empirical evidence of the
receive training in recognizing and managing pollution- causal relationships linking urbanization, air pollution,
related health conditions, particularly respiratory and public health outcomes in Vietnam’s major cities.
diseases that spike during high pollution episodes. Across panel data analysis spanning 2013 – 2022
Emergency departments and respiratory clinics should and employing IV techniques, we demonstrated that
prepare for increased patient loads during pollution urbanization significantly increases PM2.5 pollution
episodes. levels, which in turn substantially impact respiratory
health outcomes.
5.2.5. Regional and international cooperation Our key findings established that each percentage point
Air pollution often crosses administrative boundaries, increase in urbanization rate raises PM2.5 concentrations
making regional cooperation essential for effective by approximately 0.36 μg/m , while each μg/m increase
3
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management. Vietnam should strengthen coordination in PM2.5 causally generates roughly 2.3 additional
with neighboring countries on transboundary pollution respiratory disease cases per 1,000 population. These
issues, particularly seasonal agricultural burning that quantitative relationships underscore the magnitude of
affects regional air quality. Vietnam’s environmental health challenge: continued
Within Vietnam, cities and surrounding provinces rapid urbanization without effective policy intervention
should coordinate on pollution control since urban will likely generate substantial increases in pollution-
air quality is affected by emissions from broader related health burdens.
metropolitan regions. Joint planning for industrial The analysis also revealed that environmental
development, transportation systems, and pollution policies implemented since 2017 achieved modest
monitoring can improve effectiveness while reducing but measurable pollution reductions of approximately
costs. 1.5 μg/m . While this indicates that policy interventions
3
International cooperation can provide technical can succeed even in rapidly growing economies, the
assistance, funding, and technology transfer for scale of improvement remains insufficient to meet air
pollution control. Vietnam should actively engage with quality standards or protect public health adequately.
international organizations and developed countries For Vietnam, these findings highlighted both urgent
that have successfully addressed similar air quality challenges and important opportunities. The country’s
challenges. continued rapid urbanization – projected to house over
half the population in cities by 2030 – makes immediate
5.2.6. Economic co-benefits and climate integration action essential. Without integrated sustainable urban
Many air pollution control measures provide climate planning and strengthened environmental policies,
change mitigation co-benefits, enabling Vietnam pollution levels, and associated health impacts will
to address both local air quality and global climate likely continue increasing substantially.

Volume 22 Issue 3 (2025) 207 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025130088