Mosquito Vectors Prevail in Polluted Urban Areas: A Multiscale Analysis in Mexico

Mosquitoes of vector importance (MVI) are known to thrive in urban environments, yet the role of air pollution in shaping their distribution remains poorly understood. This study tests the hypothesis that MVI presence is associated with elevated concentrations of key air pollutants. Using data on six major pollutants (CO, NO2, SO2, O3, PM2.5 and PM10) from 23 Mexican cities, we applied boosted regression tree (BRT) models to identify key pollutants linked with MVI presence. Additionally, we employed the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) models to examine how socioeconomic factors influence pollutant concentrations across urban areas. Our results indicate that MVI are more likely to occur in cities with high concentrations of SO₂, O₃, and PM₁₀. Notably, SO₂ and O₃ were strongly associated with marginalized urban areas, suggesting that socially vulnerable human populations may face compounded exposure to both air pollution and mosquito-borne disease risk. These findings imply that some MVI species may tolerate polluted urban environments, underscoring the need for public health strategies that integrate air quality management with targeted vector control and socioeconomic vulnerability. Given the growing burden of mosquito-borne diseases under accelerating urbanization and air pollution, this evidence provides actionable guidance for urban public health policies in the Global South. Author summary. Mosquitoes cope well with human-altered environments. We examined whether this ability extends to high levels of air pollution prevalent in several Mexican cities. We found that mosquitoes of medical importance (MVI) are more likely to be present where SO2, O3, and PM10 concentrations are elevated. Notably, some of these areas are also socioeconomically disadvantaged. These results suggest that polluted urban environments may amplify disease transmission risks in vulnerable communities. Public health authorities should prioritize integrated actions that combine air pollution monitoring, targeted mosquito control, and community-based interventions in high-risk urban areas.