Correlation and Regression

Chapter 10: Correlation and Regression

Do Dust Storms Affect Respiratory Health?

SoutheastWashington state has a long history of seasonal dust storms. Several researchers decided to see what effect, if any, these storms had on the respiratory health of the people living in the area. They undertook (among other things) to see if there was a relationship between the amount of dust and sand particles in the air when the storms occur and the number of hospital emergency room visits for respiratory disorders at three community hospitals in southeast Washington. Using methods of correlation and regression, which are explained in this chapter, they were able to determine the effect of these dust storms on local residents. See Statistics Today—Revisited.