IJPDS International Journal of Population Data Science

People living with severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia are significantly more likely to live in deprived areas, according to research published in the International Journal of Population Data Science (IJPDS). However, the study found little evidence that they experience higher levels of air pollution or are more likely to live in urban rather than rural areas.

The research linked health records from more than two million people in Wales between 2016 and 2019, with socio-environmental data, including air pollution levels, urban-rural location and deprivation levels.

The findings revealed a clear association between severe mental disorders and deprivation. Almost twice as many people diagnosed with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder lived in the most deprived areas of Wales compared with the least deprived areas (29.1% versus 15.0%). Deprivation measures included factors such as income, employment, education and health.

In contrast, researchers found little difference in household-level exposure to air pollution between people with severe mental disorders and the wider population. Similarly, there was very little difference in whether people lived in urban or rural areas.

People with severe mental disorders often experience poorer physical health and shorter life expectancy than the general population. While social and economic disadvantage is known to contribute to these inequalities, less is understood about the role of environmental factors in shaping health outcomes.

By linking health and environmental data at a population scale, the study demonstrates how routinely collected data can be used to better understand the circumstances in which people live and the factors associated with health inequalities. The findings suggest that deprivation remains a key consideration for policymakers and health services seeking to improve outcomes for people living with severe mental illness.

The researchers say the work provides a foundation for future studies exploring whether factors such as green space, long-term exposure to air pollution or neighbourhood characteristics influence mental health and recovery.

"Understanding the environments which people with severe mental disorders live in is an important step towards reducing health inequalities," said lead researcher Ella Christoforou. "By combining health and environmental data, we can better identify where support is most needed and help create healthier communities for everyone."

 

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Ella S. Christoforou, PhD student in medical and healthcare sciences, Swansea University, Wales

Christoforou, E., Lyons , J., John , A., Fry, R., Clift , M. J. and Mizen, A. (2026) “Ascertaining household-level exposure to air pollution: sociodemographic patterning and urban-rural differences in people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders and the general population”, International Journal of Population Data Science, 11(1). doi: 10.23889/ijpds.v11i5.3360.