Spatiotemporal Evolution of Regional Air Pollution Exposure and Health Effects Assessment in Jiangsu Province, China

China’s industrialization and urbanization processes have recently accelerated, leading to the rapid expansion of urban built-up areas. Fossil fuels, such as natural gas, oil, and coal, are consumed in large quantities, resulting in the accumulation of atmospheric pollutants. Severe PM2.5 and O3 pollution poses significant human health risks, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and lung cancer. This study utilized data from various observation stations in Jiangsu Province, the annual statistical yearbook data, and statistical data, such as baseline mortality and socioeconomic indicators, to quantitatively analyze the concentration characteristics of PM2.5 and O3, premature deaths related to pollutant exposure, and negative health effects in Jiangsu Province from 2018 to 2023. The study examined the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of pollutant concentrations, related premature deaths, and negative health effects in various cities within Jiangsu Province under policy-driven conditions. The results show that (1) the annual average concentration of PM2.5 in Jiangsu Province decreased from 105.88 μg/m3 in 2018 to 55.04 μg/m3 in 2023, marking a reduction of 48.01%. (2) The total number of premature deaths due to long-term exposure to PM2.5 decreased by approximately 87%, whereas the total number of premature deaths due to long-term exposure to O3 increased by approximately 216%. (3) City level (2.377**) and population structure (1.068**) play an important role in the health effects of air pollution. (4) Short-term exposure to high concentrations of pollutants has a significant negative impact on the health of individuals with underlying diseases.