Black&Black: Stressors In The Environment Key Research

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

Is health-related quality of life worse in a community chronically exposed to aircraft noise than in a community not exposed?
Is long term aircraft noise exposure associated with elevated BP in adults via noise stress as a mediating factor?

Question 2

Sample and sampling method

Answer 2

Questionnaires mailed out to 1500 addresses in two areas: close to the Sydney airport and 55km from the airport (as a control).
The researcher received 796 responses (704 complete). Responses from the control area was lower than those from noise area. Less than 50% responded.

Question 3

Method (sections of questionnaire)

Answer 3

Sections in the questionnaire:
Health
Hypertension: closed-end questions about respondents medical histories (cholesterol and BP).
Annoyance from noise (identify noise source and 1-10 how annoying they find them).
Factors that could have confounding effects on the researchers ability to assess the relationship between aircraft noise and health (employment, exercise, smoking, alcohol, nutrition, demographic characteristics).

Question 4

Results

Answer 4

Residence in the noise-effected area has a mean aircraft noise annoyance score of 6.27 which is higher than the control group 1.03.
Long term noise exposure was significantly associated with chronic noise stress.
Scores were significantly lower regarding general health and mental health for those in the noise-exposure group and also indicated a significant relationship with hypertension.

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

Black and Black concluded that there are negative health effects associated with aircraft noise.

Question 6

Possible solutions

Answer 6

parallel runways, curfew hours and stress management techniques/ health screening and loans for noise insulation.