Cumulative Impact Assessment to Identify Environmental Health Vulnerable Areas: A Focus on Cumulative Stressors and Resiliency Index

To develop and implement policies that effectively protect public health from environmental pollution and hazards, it is essential to consider a range of environmental, social, and economic factors. Understanding regional differences driven by these factors is crucial. This study conducted a cumulative impact assessment using a screening method to identify regions most vulnerable to environmental and health risks. It applies the Cumulative Stressors and resiliency index (CSRI) to assess 250 local governments based on 17 indicators, which include both environmental stressors and resiliency buffers factors. The study also examines, the spatial distribution and correlation between asthma emergency visit rates and CSRI scores. In terms of cumulative impact, when factoring in community resilience, certain areas in the Chungcheong and Jeollabuk provinces stood out. These regions, characterized by high environmental exposure and pathological factors, ranked among the top 10% of areas experiencing environmental inequality based on the CSRI. Furthermore, an ANOVA analysis of CSRI scores and asthma emergency visit rates showed a significant statistically difference. The high-CSRI score group had an asthma emergency visit rate of 27.97 per 100,000 people, while the low-CSRI score group had a rate of 20.12. The findings from this study provide valuable scientific evidence to support the development of targeted policies. By screening areas and population that are particularly sensitive or vulnerable, the results enable a more rational and systematic approach to manage limited environmental health resources and personnel.