Transportation noise, health and vulnerable groups

A recent report, from the European Observation and Infomation Network (EIOnet) looks at the impact of transport noise on vulnerable populations. The review of existing knowledge found that while some groups clearly need additional protection, no one is risk-free and transportation noise affects everyone, including those who are otherwise healthy. The review concludes that this reinforces the key public health message that population-wide action on noise is the most effective and equitable response, ensuring that protection measures leave no on behind.  The researchers state that looking at the interplay between susceptibility (biological, psychological, or behavioural traits) and situational factors (physical and social environments that shape exposure), allows better understanding of how transportation noise affects people with pre-existing health conditions, older adults, different sex/genders, and those shaped by lifestyle and socioeconomic circumstances.  Findings were that many studies indicate that people with chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, mental health problems and sleep disturbances are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of transportation noise. Further, people with lower socioeconomic status tend to be more often exposed to transportation noise, making them more vulnerable to its health effects.