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Mahdavinia M, Poole JA, Apter AJ, Pacheco SE, Pappalardo AA, Matsui EC, Davis CM, Bernstein JA. Volunteerism Addressing Environmental Disparities in Allergy (VAEDIA): The presidential initiative to combat environmental injustice in allergy and immunology-a Work Group Report of the AAAAI VAEDIA task force. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 154:59-67. [PMID: 38795076 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
Many vulnerable people lose their health or lives each year as a result of unhealthy environmental conditions that perpetuate medical conditions within the scope of allergy and immunology specialists' expertise. While detrimental environmental factors impact all humans globally, the effect is disproportionately more profound in impoverished neighborhoods. Environmental injustice is the inequitable exposure of disadvantaged populations to environmental hazards. Professional medical organizations such as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) are well positioned to engage and encourage community outreach volunteer programs to combat environmental justice. Here we discuss how environmental injustices and climate change impacts allergic diseases among vulnerable populations. We discuss pathways allergists/immunologists can use to contribute to addressing environmental determinants by providing volunteer clinical service, education, and advocacy. Furthermore, allergists/immunologists can play a role in building trust within these communities, partnering with other patient advocacy nonprofit stakeholders, and engaging with local, state, national, and international nongovernmental organizations, faith-based organizations, and governments. The AAAAI's Volunteerism Addressing Environmental Disparities in Allergy (VAEDIA) is the presidential task force aiming to promote volunteer initiatives by creating platforms for discussion and collaboration and by funding community-based projects to address environmental injustice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboobeh Mahdavinia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, UT Health Houston, Houston.
| | - Jill A Poole
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Neb
| | - Andrea J Apter
- Section of Allergy & Immunology, Division of Pulmonary Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Susan E Pacheco
- Department of Pediatrics, Pulmonary Division, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, Tex
| | - Andrea A Pappalardo
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep & Allergy, University of Illinois, Chicago, Ill
| | - Elizabeth C Matsui
- departments of Pediatrics and Population Health, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Tex
| | - Carla M Davis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex
| | - Jonathan A Bernstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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van Dijk YE, Brandsen MA, Hashimoto S, Rutjes NW, Golebski K, Vermeulen F, Terheggen-Lagro SWJ, van Ewijk BE, der Zee AHMV, Vijverberg SJH. Factors influencing the initiation of biologic therapy in children with severe asthma: Results of the pediatric asthma noninvasive diagnostic approaches (PANDA) study. Pediatr Pulmonol 2024. [PMID: 38934778 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.27145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Despite the availability of biologics for severe pediatric asthma, real-life studies reporting on drivers behind initiating biologics and their alignment with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) recommendations are lacking. METHODS We performed analysis within the pediatric asthma noninvasive diagnostic approaches study, a prospective cohort of 6- to 17-year-old children with severe asthma. Information was collected on demographic factors, symptom control, treatment, comorbidities, and diagnostic tests from medical records and questionnaires. We divided patients into "starters" or "nonstarters" based on the clinical decision to initiate biologics and performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify drivers behind initiating therapy. Additionally, we assessed patient suitability for biologics according to key factors in the GINA recommendations: Type 2 inflammation, frequency of exacerbations, and optimization of treatment adherence. RESULTS In total, 72 children (mean age 11.5 ± 3.0 years, 65.3% male) were included (13 starters). Initiation of biologics was associated with a higher GINA treatment step (adjusted odds ratio's [aOR] = 5.0, 95%CI 1.33-18.76), steroid toxicity (aOR = 21.1, 95%CI 3.73-119.91), frequency of exacerbations (aOR = 1.6, 95%CI 1.10-2.39), improved therapy adherence (aOR = 1.7, 95%CI 1.10-2.46), Caucasian ethnicity (aOR = 0.20, 95%CI 0.05-0.80), ≥1 allergic sensitization (aOR = 0.06, 95%CI 0.004-0.97), and allergic rhinitis (aOR = 0.13, 95%CI 0.03-0.65). Furthermore, steroid toxicity was identified as an important factor for deviation from the current recommendations on biologic prescription. CONCLUSIONS We identified multiple drivers and inhibitors for initiating biologics, and showed the clinical need for biologics in severe pediatric asthmatics suffering from steroid toxicity. These findings may help refine asthma management guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoni E van Dijk
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Milou A Brandsen
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Simone Hashimoto
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Niels W Rutjes
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kornel Golebski
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Frederique Vermeulen
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Tergooi Medical Center, Hilversum, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne W J Terheggen-Lagro
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart E van Ewijk
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Tergooi Medical Center, Hilversum, The Netherlands
| | - Anke-Hilse Maitland-van der Zee
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susanne J H Vijverberg
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Yang-Huang J, McGrath JJ, Gauvin L, Nikiéma B, Spencer NJ, Awad YA, Clifford S, Markham W, Mensah F, Andersson White P, Ludvigsson J, Faresjö T, Duijts L, van Grieken A, Raat H. Early family socioeconomic status and asthma-related outcomes in school-aged children: Results from seven birth cohort studies. J Epidemiol Community Health 2024:jech-2023-220726. [PMID: 38849153 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2023-220726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the associations between maternal education and household income during early childhood with asthma-related outcomes in children aged 9-12 years in the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, the USA and Canada. METHODS Data on 31 210 children were obtained from 7 prospective birth cohort studies across six countries. Asthma-related outcomes included ever asthma, wheezing/asthma attacks and medication control for asthma. Relative social inequalities were estimated using pooled risk ratios (RRs) adjusted for potential confounders (child age, sex, mother ethnic background and maternal age) for maternal education and household income. The Slope Index of Inequality (SII) was calculated for each cohort to evaluate absolute social inequalities. RESULTS Ever asthma prevalence ranged from 8.3% (Netherlands) to 29.1% (Australia). Wheezing/asthma attacks prevalence ranged from 3.9% (Quebec) to 16.8% (USA). Pooled RRs for low (vs high) maternal education and low (vs high) household income were: ever asthma (education 1.24, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.37; income 1.28, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.43), wheezing/asthma attacks (education 1.14, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.35; income 1.22, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.44) and asthma with medication control (education 1.16, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.40; income 1.25, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.55). SIIs supported the lower risk for children with more highly educated mothers and those from higher-income households in most cohorts, with few exceptions. CONCLUSIONS Social inequalities by household income on the risk of ever asthma, wheezing/asthma attacks, and medication control for asthma were evident; the associations were attenuated for maternal education. These findings support the need for prevention policies to address the relatively high risks of respiratory morbidity in children in families with low socioeconomic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwen Yang-Huang
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Lise Gauvin
- Centre de recherche, Centre Hospitalier de L'Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- École de santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Beatrice Nikiéma
- Department of Program Development and Support, Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, Chisasibi, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicholas James Spencer
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Yara Abu Awad
- PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Susan Clifford
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Markham
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Fiona Mensah
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pär Andersson White
- Department of Health, Medicine and Care, General Practice, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Crown Princess Victoria Children's Hospital and Division of Pediatrics, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johnny Ludvigsson
- Crown Princess Victoria Children's Hospital and Division of Pediatrics, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Tomas Faresjö
- Department of Health, Medicine and Care, General Practice, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Liesbeth Duijts
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amy van Grieken
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Raat
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Muanprasong S, Aqilah S, Hermayurisca F, Taneepanichskul N. Effectiveness of Asthma Home Management Manual and Low-Cost Air Filter on Quality of Life Among Asthma Adults: A 3-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. J Multidiscip Healthc 2024; 17:2613-2622. [PMID: 38813091 PMCID: PMC11134058 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s397388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Asthma affects the quality of life (QoL) of millions of people worldwide. Effective control is paramount to a decline in prevalence and severity. To address this, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an asthma home management manual and low-cost air filter in improving resource-limited settings. Patients and Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted between March to July 2022. The participants were 18-55 years old outpatient with asthmatic patients. A total of 114 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: home management only, home management and air filtering, and control. Validated measurement tools were applied, and the Wilcoxon test was used to evaluate changes in QoL. Results Asthma burden was found in at least one-third of participants in each group. At baseline, there was no difference in mAQLQ scores among participants in all group allocations (p-value > 0.05), and the air filter group had an increase in the total mAQLQ score (p-value = 0.044) and post-intervention activity quality of life (p-value = 0.002). The environmental quality of life increased post-intervention (p-value = 0.004) and remained higher after four weeks of follow-up compared to baseline (p-value = 0.041) in the home management group participants. Conclusion The findings indicate that the enforcement of a home management manual and the application of low-cost filters in air circulation systems offer advantages in improving the quality of life of patients with moderate and mild asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirilak Muanprasong
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Syarifah Aqilah
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Nutta Taneepanichskul
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- HAUS IAQ Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
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Kabangu JLK, Fry L, Bhargav AG, De Stefano FA, Bah MG, Hernandez A, Rouse AG, Peterson J, Ebersole K, Camarata PJ, Eden SV. Association of geographical disparities and segregation in regional treatment facilities for Black patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the United States. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1341212. [PMID: 38799679 PMCID: PMC11121994 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1341212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives This study investigates geographic disparities in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) care for Black patients and aims to explore the association with segregation in treatment facilities. Understanding these dynamics can guide efforts to improve healthcare outcomes for marginalized populations. Methods This cohort study evaluated regional differences in segregation for Black patients with aSAH and the association with geographic variations in disparities from 2016 to 2020. The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried for admission data on aSAH. Black patients were compared to White patients. Segregation in treatment facilities was calculated using the dissimilarity (D) index. Using multivariable logistic regression models, the regional disparities in aSAH treatment, functional outcomes, mortality, and end-of-life care between Black and White patients and the association of geographical segregation in treatment facilities was assessed. Results 142,285 Black and White patients were diagnosed with aSAH from 2016 to 2020. The Pacific division (D index = 0.55) had the greatest degree of segregation in treatment facilities, while the South Atlantic (D index = 0.39) had the lowest. Compared to lower segregation, regions with higher levels of segregation (global F test p < 0.001) were associated a lower likelihood of mortality (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.82-1.00, p = 0.044 vs. OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.83, p < 0. 001) (p = 0.049), greater likelihood of tracheostomy tube placement (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.22-1.73, p < 0.001 vs. OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.59-2.21, p < 0.001) (p < 0. 001), and lower likelihood of receiving palliative care (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.76-0.93, p < 0.001 vs. OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.59-0.77, p < 0.001) (p = 0.029). Conclusion This study demonstrates regional differences in disparities for Black patients with aSAH, particularly in end-of-life care, with varying levels of segregation in regional treatment facilities playing an associated role. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and policy changes to address systemic healthcare inequities, reduce segregation, and ensure equitable access to high-quality care for all patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Luc K. Kabangu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Lane Fry
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Adip G. Bhargav
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Frank A. De Stefano
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Momodou G. Bah
- Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Amanda Hernandez
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Adam G. Rouse
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Jeremy Peterson
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Koji Ebersole
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Paul J. Camarata
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Sonia V. Eden
- Department of Neurosurgery, Semmes Murphey Clinic, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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Gabbay JM, Mayourian J, Bajaj BVM, Wu AC, Graham RJ, Perez JM. Child opportunity and outcomes in pediatric critical asthma: A multicenter analysis. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2024:S2213-2198(24)00437-9. [PMID: 38703821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.04.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Gabbay
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
| | - Joshua Mayourian
- Division of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Benjamin V M Bajaj
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Ann Chen Wu
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Robert J Graham
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Jennifer M Perez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
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Grunwell JR, Mutic AD, Ezhuthachan ID, Mason C, Tidwell M, Caldwell C, Norwood J, Zack S, Jordan N, Fitzpatrick AM. Environmental Injustice Is Associated With Poorer Asthma Outcomes in School-Age Children With Asthma in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2024; 12:1263-1272.e1. [PMID: 38378096 PMCID: PMC11081836 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental justice mandates that no person suffers disproportionately from environmental exposures. The Environmental Justice Index (EJI) provides an estimate of the environmental burden for each census tract but has not yet been used in asthma populations. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that children from census tracts with high environmental injustice determined by the EJI would have a greater burden of asthma exacerbations, poorer asthma control, and poorer lung function over 12 months. METHODS Children aged 6 to 18 years with asthma (N = 575) from metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, completed a baseline research visit. Participant addresses were geocoded to obtain the EJI Social-Environmental Ranking for each participant's census tract, which was divided into tertiles. Medical records were reviewed for 12 months for asthma exacerbations. A subset of participants completed a second research visit involving spirometry and questionnaires. RESULTS Census tracts with the greatest environmental injustice had more racial and ethnic minorities, lower socioeconomic status, more hazardous exposures (particularly to airborne pollutants), and greater proximity to railroads and heavily trafficked roadways. Children with asthma residing in high injustice census tracts had a longer duration of asthma, greater historical asthma-related health care utilization, poorer asthma symptom control and quality of life, and more impaired lung function. By 12 months, children from high injustice census tracts also had more asthma exacerbations with a shorter time to exacerbation and persistently more symptoms, poorer asthma control, and reduced lung function. CONCLUSIONS Disparities in environmental justice are present in metropolitan Atlanta that may contribute to asthma outcomes in children. These findings require an additional study and action to improve health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn R Grunwell
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga; Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Abby D Mutic
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Idil D Ezhuthachan
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga; Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Carrie Mason
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Mallory Tidwell
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Cherish Caldwell
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Jalicae Norwood
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Sydney Zack
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Natalie Jordan
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Anne M Fitzpatrick
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga.
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Domingo KN, Gabaldon KL, Hussari MN, Yap JM, Valmadrid LC, Robinson K, Leibel S. Impact of climate change on paediatric respiratory health: pollutants and aeroallergens. Eur Respir Rev 2024; 33:230249. [PMID: 39009406 PMCID: PMC11262702 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0249-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Paediatric populations are particularly vulnerable to respiratory diseases caused and exacerbated by aeroallergens, pollutants and infectious agents. Worsening climate change is expected to increase the prevalence of pollutants and aeroallergens while amplifying disease severity and causing disproportionate effects in under-resourced areas. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarise the role of anthropogenic climate change in the literature examining the future impact of aeroallergens, pollutants and infectious agents on paediatric respiratory diseases with a focus on equitable disease mitigation. The aeroallergens selected for discussion include pollen, dust mites and mould as these are prevalent triggers of paediatric asthma worldwide. Human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus are key viruses interacting with climate change and pollution and are primary causal agents of viral respiratory disease. Within this review, we present the propensity for aeroallergens, climate change and pollution to synergistically exacerbate paediatric respiratory disease and outline measures that can ameliorate the expected increase in morbidity and severity of disease through a health equity lens. We support shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy worldwide, across sectors, as a primary means of reducing increases in morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyssa N Domingo
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- K.N. Domingo and K.L. Gabaldon contributed equally
| | - Kiersten L Gabaldon
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- K.N. Domingo and K.L. Gabaldon contributed equally
| | | | - Jazmyn M Yap
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Kelly Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sydney Leibel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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9
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Gabbay JM, Abrams EM, Nyenhuis SM, Wu AC. Housing Insecurity and Asthma Outcomes. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2024; 12:327-333. [PMID: 37871647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease with widespread prevalence that affects children, adolescents, and adults. Asthma morbidity and mortality can be exacerbated in the setting of housing insecurity. In this Grand Rounds Review article, we present a case and discuss the implications that housing insecurity has on asthma outcomes in the United States. We then highlight ways in which providers can advocate for patients with asthma and housing insecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elissa M Abrams
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Sharmilee M Nyenhuis
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy and Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Ann Chen Wu
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Division of Child Health Research and Policy, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Mass
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10
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Carroll AR, Hall M, Noelke C, Ressler RW, Brown CM, Spencer KS, Bell DS, Williams DJ, Fritz CQ. Association of neighborhood opportunity and pediatric hospitalization rates in the United States. J Hosp Med 2024; 19:120-125. [PMID: 38073069 PMCID: PMC10872227 DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
We examined associations between a validated, multidimensional measure of social determinants of health and population-based hospitalization rates among children <18 years across 18 states from the 2017 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases and the US Census. The exposure was ZIP code-level Child Opportunity Index (COI), a composite measure of neighborhood resources and conditions that matter for children's health. The cohort included 614,823 hospitalizations among a population of 29,244,065 children (21.02 hospitalizations per 1000). Adjusted hospitalization rates decreased significantly and in a stepwise fashion as COI increased (p < .001 for each), from 26.56 per 1000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 26.41-26.71) in very low COI areas to 14.76 per 1000 (95% CI 14.66-14.87) in very high COI areas (incidence rate ratio 1.8; 95% CI 1.78-1.81). Decreasing neighborhood opportunity was associated with increasing hospitalization rates among children in 18 US states. These data underscore the importance of social context and community-engaged solutions for health systems aiming to eliminate care inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison R. Carroll
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
| | - Matt Hall
- Children’s Hospital Association, Lenexa, KS
| | - Clemens Noelke
- Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MS
| | - Robert W. Ressler
- Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MS
| | - Charlotte M. Brown
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
| | - Katherine S. Spencer
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
| | - Deanna S. Bell
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
| | - Derek J. Williams
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
| | - Cristin Q. Fritz
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
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11
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Tilmon S, Nyenhuis S, Solomonides A, Barbarioli B, Bhargava A, Birz S, Bouzein K, Cardenas C, Carlson B, Cohen E, Dillon E, Furner B, Huang Z, Johnson J, Krishnan N, Lazenby K, Li K, Makhni S, Miler D, Ozik J, Santos C, Sleiman M, Solway J, Krishnan S, Volchenboum S. Sociome Data Commons: A scalable and sustainable platform for investigating the full social context and determinants of health. J Clin Transl Sci 2023; 7:e255. [PMID: 38229897 PMCID: PMC10789989 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2023.670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objective Non-clinical aspects of life, such as social, environmental, behavioral, psychological, and economic factors, what we call the sociome, play significant roles in shaping patient health and health outcomes. This paper introduces the Sociome Data Commons (SDC), a new research platform that enables large-scale data analysis for investigating such factors. Methods This platform focuses on "hyper-local" data, i.e., at the neighborhood or point level, a geospatial scale of data not adequately considered in existing tools and projects. We enumerate key insights gained regarding data quality standards, data governance, and organizational structure for long-term project sustainability. A pilot use case investigating sociome factors associated with asthma exacerbations in children residing on the South Side of Chicago used machine learning and six SDC datasets. Results The pilot use case reveals one dominant spatial cluster for asthma exacerbations and important roles of housing conditions and cost, proximity to Superfund pollution sites, urban flooding, violent crime, lack of insurance, and a poverty index. Conclusion The SDC has been purposefully designed to support and encourage extension of the platform into new data sets as well as the continued development, refinement, and adoption of standards for dataset quality, dataset inclusion, metadata annotation, and data access/governance. The asthma pilot has served as the first driver use case and demonstrates promise for future investigation into the sociome and clinical outcomes. Additional projects will be selected, in part for their ability to exercise and grow the capacity of the SDC to meet its ambitious goals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sharmilee Nyenhuis
- Pediatrics, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL, USA
- Medicine, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Suzi Birz
- Pediatrics, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Bradley Carlson
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ellen Cohen
- Pediatrics, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Emily Dillon
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical
Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brian Furner
- Pediatrics, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zhong Huang
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Julie Johnson
- Clinical Research Informatics, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Kevin Lazenby
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jonathan Ozik
- Decision and Infrastructure Sciences Division, Argonne
National Laboratory, Lemont, IL,
USA
| | - Carlos Santos
- Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical
Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marc Sleiman
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago,
Chicago, IL, USA
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12
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Nelin TD, Scott KA, Just AC, Burris HH. Place-Based Strategies Addressing Neighborhood Environments to Improve Perinatal and Preterm Infant Outcomes. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1646. [PMID: 37892309 PMCID: PMC10605196 DOI: 10.3390/children10101646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Preterm birth (defined as birth <37 weeks of gestation) is a significant health concern globally, with lasting implications for individuals, families, and society. In the United States, high preterm birth rates among Black and low-income populations likely result from differences in environmental exposures. Structural racism and economic disadvantage have led to unequal distribution of polluting industrial sites and roadways across society as well as differential access to health-promoting resources which contribute to preterm birth risk. Once born, preterm infants remain at risk for numerous environmentally responsive adverse health outcomes that affect growth and development throughout childhood and adulthood. In this commentary, we describe associations of neighborhood environments with pregnancy and preterm infant health outcomes and propose strategies to address harmful exposures that affect families across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D. Nelin
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (K.A.S.); (H.H.B.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kristan A. Scott
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (K.A.S.); (H.H.B.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Allan C. Just
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA;
| | - Heather H. Burris
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (K.A.S.); (H.H.B.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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13
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Abstract
Racial disparities in health are among the most disconcerting forms of inequity in the United States. Divergent health outcomes between Americans racialized as White and those racialized as Black, Latinx, and Indigenous do not stem from biological or genetic differences. To the contrary, "race" comes to have concrete consequences through social, economic, and political systems. Yet the political contours of health equity remain especially understudied. This article places the politics of health equity in the foreground through the lens of housing, a critical determinant of health. Drawing on in-depth qualitative evidence rooted in the experiences of tenants who confront health-threatening housing conditions, I examine how people within racially and economically marginalized communities organize to build political power in response to those conditions. By charting how tenants navigate state and local political processes, I demonstrate the possibilities for organized tenants to wield power in ways that help advance health equity in the face of structural racism.
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14
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Behinaein P, Hutchings H, Knapp T, Okereke IC. The growing impact of air quality on lung-related illness: a narrative review. J Thorac Dis 2023; 15:5055-5063. [PMID: 37868892 PMCID: PMC10586990 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objective Poor air quality can be harmful to human well-being. There are a variety of respiratory disorders associated with toxins present within the atmosphere, such as bronchitis and asthma, which eventually lead to heart or lung complications over time. Fine particles like particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) accumulate in the small airways of the lung. These irritants can cause epigenetic modifications in gene regulation, leading to changes responsible for both benign and malignant lung diseases. In this review we will discuss known associations between environmental factors and pulmonary complications, consider preventative measures and offer further areas for future investigation. This review presents a summary of the literature outlining the current work done on air quality and its effects on lung-related illnesses. We discuss regional differences in air quality and consider the causes, such as manufacturing, traffic density, increase in fuel usage and natural events. We further explore disparities based on geography, race, and other social determinants. Methods A comprehensive literature review was performed using keywords related to air quality, pollution and lung disease within the PubMed database as well as MEDLINE and Google Scholar. Key Content and Findings The Clean Air Act of 1970 marked an essential transition for air quality improvement. The legislation led to decreased emissions and control measures to address atmosphere contamination. Despite these actions, poor atmospheric conditions still persist today and have become an ongoing issue. These poor conditions affect individuals living in metropolitan areas more significantly than suburban or rural areas. Pollution from industrial operations and transportation vehicles have led to increased emission outputs recently. Climate change further aggravates air quality problems by raising pollutant and allergen concentrations. The detrimental consequences of poor air quality include increased incidence of disease processes like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. To keep up with the well-being of people globally, it is important that actions be taken to battle contamination in the climate so its impact on public health can be limited. Conclusions Poor air quality and recent worsening of industrial emissions have had a negative impact on lung-related illnesses. Future mitigation strategies should be taken to reduce pollution and treat diseases earlier in their course. Some of these strategies include more reliance on alternative energy sources, creation of mass transit systems and increased rates of recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hollis Hutchings
- Department of Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Thomas Knapp
- School of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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15
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Howard A, Mansour A, Warren-Myers G, Jensen C, Bentley R. Housing typologies and asthma: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1766. [PMID: 37697282 PMCID: PMC10494403 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16594-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is related to triggers within the home. Although it is recognised that triggers likely occur due to characteristics of housing, these characteristics have not been comprehensively reviewed, and there is a paucity of housing-focused interventions to reduce asthma and asthma symptoms. Following five steps identified by Arksey and O'Malley, we conducted a scoping review of published evidence on the associations between asthma and housing characteristics. We searched three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), identifying 33 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Through an iterative approach, we identified nine housing characteristics relevant to asthma onset or exacerbation, categorised as relating to the surrounding environment (location), the house itself (dwelling), or to conditions inside the home (occupancy). We conceptualise these three levels through a housing typologies framework. This facilitates the mapping of housing characteristics, and visualises how they can cluster and overlap to exacerbate asthma or asthma symptoms. Of the three levels in our framework, associations between asthma and locational features were evidenced most clearly in the literature reviewed. Within this category, environmental pollutants (and particularly air pollutants) were identified as a potentially important risk factor for asthma. Studies concerning associations between dwelling features and occupancy features and asthma reported inconsistent results, highlighting the need for greater research in these areas. Interpreting housing-related asthma triggers through this framework paves the way for the identification and targeting of typologies of housing that might adversely affect asthma, thus addressing multiple characteristics in tandem rather than as isolated elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Howard
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Adelle Mansour
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Christopher Jensen
- Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca Bentley
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Telzak A, Fiori KP, Chambers EC, Haughton J, Levano S, Reznik M. Unmet Social Needs and Pediatric Asthma Severity in an Urban Primary Care Setting. Acad Pediatr 2023; 23:1361-1367. [PMID: 36858248 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Community-level social determinants of health impact asthma outcomes among children; however, individual patient's priorities are not often included in designing social care interventions. Identifying connections between patient-prioritized unmet social needs and asthma severity status may allow for improved patient-centered approaches to asthma management. In this analysis, we examined the association between unmet social needs and asthma severity in an urban population of children. We hypothesized that those with a greater number of unmet social needs would report a more severe asthma status. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of 4887 patients screened for unmet social needs and asthma severity status. Bivariate associations and adjusted logistic regression modeling were used to assess the association between unmet social needs and asthma severity. RESULTS Persistent asthma severity status was associated with several unmet social needs, including housing quality and stability, lack of money for food, transportation, and healthcare costs. In the multivariable analysis, having 3 or more unmet social needs was associated with a 59% greater odds of persistent asthma status (CI, 1.18-2.14; P = .002), and having 2 unmet social needs was associated with a 33% greater odds of persistent asthma status (CI, 1.00-1.78; P = .05). CONCLUSIONS Unmet social needs were associated with asthma severity status, with a greater number of unmet social needs associated with greater odds of severe asthma status. Additional studies are warranted to further evaluate the temporal relationship between unmet social needs and how they may compound one another in their relationship with asthma severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Telzak
- Department of Family and Social Medicine (A Telzak, EC Chambers, and S Levano), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.
| | - Kevin P Fiori
- Department of Family and Social Medicine and Department of Pediatrics (KP Fiori), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.
| | - Earle C Chambers
- Department of Family and Social Medicine (A Telzak, EC Chambers, and S Levano), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.
| | - Jessica Haughton
- Department of Family and Social Medicine (J Haughton), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Integrate Health, Bronx, NY.
| | - Samantha Levano
- Department of Family and Social Medicine (A Telzak, EC Chambers, and S Levano), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.
| | - Marina Reznik
- Department of Pediatrics (M Reznik), Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.
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17
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Abstract
In the United States, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) disproportionately affect African Americans, Puerto Ricans, and other minority groups. Compared with non-Hispanic whites, minorities have been marginalized and more frequently exposed to environmental risk factors such as tobacco smoke and outdoor and indoor pollutants. Such divergent environmental exposures, alone or interacting with heredity, lead to disparities in the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of asthma and COPD, which are worsened by lack of access to health care. In this article, we review the burden and risk factors for racial or ethnic disparities in asthma and COPD and discuss future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick Forno
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Victor E Ortega
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Juan C Celedón
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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18
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Phelan KJ, Dill-McFarland KA, Kothari A, Segnitz RM, Burkle J, Grashel B, Jenkins S, Spagna D, Martin LJ, Haslam DB, Biagini JM, Kalra M, McCoy KS, Ross KR, Jackson DJ, Mersha TB, Altman MC, Khurana Hershey GK. Airway transcriptome networks identify susceptibility to frequent asthma exacerbations in children. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 152:73-83. [PMID: 36918038 PMCID: PMC10395049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frequent asthma exacerbators, defined as those experiencing more than 1 hospitalization in a year for an asthma exacerbation, represent an important subgroup of individuals with asthma. However, this group remains poorly defined and understudied in children. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying asthma pathogenesis and exacerbation frequency. METHODS We performed RNA sequencing of upper airway cells from both frequent and nonfrequent exacerbators enrolled in the Ohio Pediatric Asthma Repository. RESULTS Through molecular network analysis, we found that nonfrequent exacerbators display an increase in modules enriched for immune system processes, including type 2 inflammation and response to infection. In contrast, frequent exacerbators showed expression of modules enriched for nervous system processes, such as synaptic formation and axonal outgrowth. CONCLUSION These data suggest that the upper airway of frequent exacerbators undergoes peripheral nervous system remodeling, representing a novel mechanism underlying pediatric asthma exacerbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran J Phelan
- Divison of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Arjun Kothari
- Divison of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - R Max Segnitz
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash
| | - Jeff Burkle
- Divison of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Brittany Grashel
- Divison of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Seth Jenkins
- Divison of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Daniel Spagna
- Divison of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lisa J Martin
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - David B Haslam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jocelyn M Biagini
- Divison of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Maninder Kalra
- Department of Pediatrics, Dayton Children's Hospital, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Karen S McCoy
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus; Ohio
| | - Kristie R Ross
- Department of Pediatrics-Pulmonary, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Daniel J Jackson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis
| | - Tesfaye B Mersha
- Divison of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Matthew C Altman
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash; Systems Immunology Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Wash
| | - Gurjit K Khurana Hershey
- Divison of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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19
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Schreibman A, Xie S, Hubbard RA, Himes BE. Linking Ambient NO2 Pollution Measures with Electronic Health Record Data to Study Asthma Exacerbations. AMIA JOINT SUMMITS ON TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE PROCEEDINGS. AMIA JOINT SUMMITS ON TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 2023:467-476. [PMID: 37350870 PMCID: PMC10283087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Electronic health record (EHR)-derived data can be linked to geospatially distributed socioeconomic and environmental factors to conduct large-scale epidemiologic studies. Ambient NO2 is a known environmental risk factor for asthma. However, health exposure studies often rely on data from geographically sparse regulatory monitors that may not reflect true individual exposure. We contrasted use of interpolated NO2 regulatory monitor data with raw satellite measurements and satellite-derived ground estimates, building on previous work which has computed improved exposure estimates from remotely sensed data. Raw satellite and satellite-derived ground measurements captured spatial variation missed by interpolated ground monitor measurements. Multivariable analyses comparing these three NO2 measurement approaches (interpolated monitor, raw satellite, and satellite-derived) revealed a positive relationship between exposure and asthma exacerbations for both satellite measurements. Exposure-outcome relationships using the interpolated monitor NO2 were inconsistent with known relationships to asthma, suggesting that interpolated monitor data might yield misleading results in small region studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana Schreibman
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sherrie Xie
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca A Hubbard
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Blanca E Himes
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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20
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Holden KA, Lee AR, Hawcutt DB, Sinha IP. The impact of poor housing and indoor air quality on respiratory health in children. Breathe (Sheff) 2023; 19:230058. [PMID: 37645022 PMCID: PMC10461733 DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0058-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
It is becoming increasingly apparent that poor housing quality affects indoor air quality, significantly impacting on respiratory health in children and young people. Exposure to damp and/or mould in the home, cold homes and the presence of pests and pollutants all have a significant detrimental impact on child respiratory health. There is a complex relationship between features of poor-quality housing, such as being in a state of disrepair, poor ventilation, overcrowding and being cold, that favour an environment resulting in poor indoor air quality. Children living in rented (private or public) housing are more likely to come from lower-income backgrounds and are most at risk of living in substandard housing posing a serious threat to respiratory health. Children have the right to safe and adequate housing, and research has shown that either rehousing or making modifications to poor-quality housing to improve indoor air quality results in improved respiratory health. Urgent action is needed to address this threat to health. All stakeholders should understand the relationship between poor-quality housing and respiratory health in children and act, working with families, to redress this modifiable risk factor. Educational aims The reader should understand how housing quality and indoor air quality affect respiratory health in children.The reader should understand which children are at most risk of living in poor-quality housing.The reader should understand what policy recommendations have been made and what actions need to be undertaken to improve housing quality and respiratory health in children and young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A. Holden
- Lab to Life Child Health Data Centre, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Contributed equally to the preparation of this manuscript and share first authorship
| | - Alice R. Lee
- Lab to Life Child Health Data Centre, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Contributed equally to the preparation of this manuscript and share first authorship
| | - Daniel B. Hawcutt
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Alder Hey Clinical Research Facility, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ian P. Sinha
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Respiratory Medicine, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
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21
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Social determinants of health play a major role in healthcare utilization and outcomes in patients with asthma. Continuing to understand how these complex and interwoven relationships interact to impact patient care will be crucial to creating innovative programmes that address these disparities. RECENT FINDINGS The current literature continues to support the association of substandard housing, urban and rural neighbourhoods, and race/ethnicity with poor asthma outcomes. Targeted interventions with community health workers (CHWs), telemedicine and local environmental rectifications can help improve outcomes. SUMMARY The link between social determinants and poor asthma outcomes continues to be supported by recent literature. These factors are both nonmodifiable and consequences of institutionalized racist policies that require innovative ideas, technologic equity and funding for groups most at risk for poorer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre E. Espaillat
- Divisions of Pediatric Pulmonology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Michelle L. Hernandez
- Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
- Children’s Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Allison J. Burbank
- Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
- Children’s Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
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22
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Alcala E, Capitman JA, Cisneros R. The Moderating Role of Housing Quality on Concentrated Poverty and Asthma-Related Emergency Department Visits Among Hispanics/Latinos. J Asthma 2023:1-8. [PMID: 36927232 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2023.2188567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Background. Rates of asthma-related emergency department visits have been shown to vary significantly by place (i.e., neighborhood) and race/ethnicity. The moderating factors of asthmatic events among Hispanic/Latino-specific populations are known to a much lesser degree. Objective. To assess the extent to which housing moderates the effect of poverty on Hispanic/Latino-specific asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits at an ecological level. Methods. Using data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) and the 2016-2017 U.S. Census, a cross-sectional ecological analysis at the census tract-level was conducted. Crosswalk files from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development were used to associate zip codes to census tracts. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate rate ratios. Results. The effect of poverty on asthma-related ED visits was significantly moderated by the median year of housing structures built. The effect of mid-level poverty (RR= 1.57, 95% CI 1.27, 1.95) and high-level poverty (RR= 1.47, 95% CI 1.22, 1.78) in comparison to low-level poverty, was significantly greater among census tracts with housing built prior to 1965 in comparison to census tract with housing built between 1965-2020. Conclusion. Communities with older housing structures tend to be associated with increased Hispanic/Latino ED visits apart from affluent communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Alcala
- Department of Public Health, School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA.,Central Valley Health Policy Institute, College of Health and Human Services, California State University, Fresno, CA 93740, USA
| | - John A Capitman
- Central Valley Health Policy Institute, College of Health and Human Services, California State University, Fresno, CA 93740, USA
| | - Ricardo Cisneros
- Department of Public Health, School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA
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23
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Baptist AP, Apter AJ, Gergen PJ, Jones BL. Reducing Health Disparities in Asthma: How Can Progress Be Made. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2023; 11:737-745. [PMID: 36693539 PMCID: PMC10640900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Health disparities (recently defined as a health difference closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage) in asthma continue despite the presence of safe and effective treatment. For example, in the United States, Black individuals have a hospitalization rate that is 6× higher than that for White individuals, and an asthma mortality rate nearly 3× higher. This article will discuss the current state of health disparities in asthma in the United States. Factors involved in the creation of these disparities (including unconscious bias and structural racism) will be examined. The types of asthma interventions (including case workers, technological advances, mobile asthma clinics, and environmental remediation) that have and have not been successful to decrease disparities will be reviewed. Finally, current resources and future actions are summarized in a table and in text, providing information that the allergist can use to make an impact on asthma health disparities in 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan P Baptist
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
| | - Andrea J Apter
- Section of Allergy & Immunology, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Peter J Gergen
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Bridgette L Jones
- Section of Allergy Asthma Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Mo; Children's Mercy, Kansas City, Mo
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24
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Burbank AJ, Hernandez ML, Jefferson A, Perry TT, Phipatanakul W, Poole J, Matsui EC. Environmental justice and allergic disease: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Environmental Exposure and Respiratory Health Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:656-670. [PMID: 36584926 PMCID: PMC9992350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Environmental justice is the concept that all people have the right to live in a healthy environment, to be protected against environmental hazards, and to participate in decisions affecting their communities. Communities of color and low-income populations live, work, and play in environments with disproportionate exposure to hazards associated with allergic disease. This unequal distribution of hazards has contributed to health disparities and is largely the result of systemic racism that promotes segregation of neighborhoods, disinvestment in predominantly racial/ethnic minority neighborhoods, and discriminatory housing, employment, and lending practices. The AAAAI Environmental Exposure and Respiratory Health Committee and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee jointly developed this report to improve allergy/immunology specialists' awareness of environmental injustice, its roots in systemic racism, and its impact on health disparities in allergic disease. We present evidence supporting the relationship between exposure to environmental hazards, particularly at the neighborhood level, and the disproportionately high incidence and poor outcomes from allergic diseases in marginalized populations. Achieving environmental justice requires investment in at-risk communities to increase access to safe housing, clean air and water, employment opportunities, education, nutrition, and health care. Through policies that promote environmental justice, we can achieve greater health equity in allergic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison J Burbank
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Children's Research Institute, Chapel Hill, NC.
| | - Michelle L Hernandez
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Children's Research Institute, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Akilah Jefferson
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark; Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Ark
| | - Tamara T Perry
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark; Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Ark
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Jill Poole
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Neb
| | - Elizabeth C Matsui
- Departments of Population Health and Pediatrics, Dell Medical School at University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Tex
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Udemgba C, Sarkaria SK, Gleeson P, Bryant-Stephens T, Ogbogu PU, Khoury P, Apter AJ. New considerations of health disparities within allergy and immunology. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:314-323. [PMID: 36503854 PMCID: PMC9905264 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The pandemic, political upheavals, and social justice efforts in our society have resulted in attention to persistent health disparities and the urgent need to address them. Using a scoping review, we describe published updates to address disparities and targets for interventions to improve gaps in care within allergy and immunology. These disparities-related studies provide a broad view of our current understanding of how social determinants of health threaten patient outcomes and our ability to advance health equity efforts in our field. We outline next steps to improve access to care and advance health equity for patients with allergic/immunologic diseases through actions taken at the individual, community, and policy levels, which could be applied outside of our field. Key among these are efforts to increase the diversity among our trainees, providers, and scientific teams and enhancing efforts to participate in advocacy work and public health interventions. Addressing health disparities requires advancing our understanding of the interplay between social and structural barriers to care and enacting the needed interventions in various key areas to effect change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chioma Udemgba
- National Institute of Allergic and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Sandeep K Sarkaria
- Section of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pulmonary & Critical Care, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Patrick Gleeson
- Section of Allergy & Immunology, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Tyra Bryant-Stephens
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Princess U Ogbogu
- Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Paneez Khoury
- National Institute of Allergic and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Andrea J Apter
- Section of Allergy & Immunology, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
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Thanik E, Harada K, Garland E, Bixby M, Bhatia J, Lopez R, Galvez S, Dayanov E, Vemuri K, Bush D, DeFelice NB. Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric asthma-related healthcare utilization in New York City: a community-based study. BMC Pediatr 2023; 23:41. [PMID: 36691011 PMCID: PMC9868511 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-03845-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 disproportionately affects families of low socioeconomic status and may worsen health disparities that existed prior to the pandemic. Asthma is a common chronic disease in children exacerbated by environmental exposures. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted to understand the impact of the initial stage of the pandemic on environmental and social conditions, along with access to care for children with asthma in New York City (NYC). Participants were recruited from a community-based organization in East Harlem and a nearby academic Pediatric Pulmonary clinic and categorized as having either public or private insurance (n = 51). RESULTS Factors significantly associated with public compared to private insurance respectively were: increased reports of indoor asthma triggers (cockroach 76% vs 23%; mold 40% vs 12%), reduced income (72% vs 27%), and housing insecurity (32% vs 0%). Participants with public insurance were more likely to experience conditions less conducive to social distancing compared to respondents with private insurance, such as remaining in NYC (92% vs 38%) and using public transportation (44% vs 4%); families with private insurance also had greater access to remote work (81% vs 8%). Families with public insurance were significantly more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 (48% vs 15%) but less likely to have gotten tested (76% vs 100%). Families with public insurance also reported greater challenges accessing office medical care and less access to telehealth, although not statistically significant (44% vs 19%; 68% vs 85%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight disproportionate burdens of the pandemic, and how these disparities affect children with asthma in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Thanik
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Kaoru Harada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Garland
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Moira Bixby
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Jasmine Bhatia
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ray Lopez
- LSA Family Health Service, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Elan Dayanov
- Graduate Program in Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Krishna Vemuri
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Douglas Bush
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas B DeFelice
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Puvvula J, Poole JA, Gwon Y, Rogan EG, Bell JE. Role of social determinants of health in differential respiratory exposure and health outcomes among children. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:119. [PMID: 36650500 PMCID: PMC9847182 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14964-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attributes defining the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are associated with disproportionate exposures to environmental hazards and differential health outcomes among communities. The dynamics between SDoH, disproportionate environmental exposures, and differential health outcomes are often specific to micro-geographic areas. METHODS This study focused on children less than 20 years of age who lived in Douglas County, Nebraska, during 2016-2019. To assess the role of SDoH in differential exposures, we evaluated the association between SDoH metrics and criteria pollutant concentrations and the association between SDoH and pediatric asthma exacerbations to quantify the role of SDoH in differential pediatric asthma outcomes. The Bayesian Poisson regression model with spatial random effects was used to evaluate associations. RESULTS We identified significant positive associations between the annual mean concentration of criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, particulate matter2.5, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide) with race (Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino), financial stability, and literacy. Additionally, there were significant positive associations between higher rates of pediatric asthma emergency department visits and neighborhoods with more Non-Hispanic Black children, children without health insurance coverage, and households without access to a vehicle. CONCLUSIONS Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino children living in Douglas County, NE experience disproportionately higher exposure to criteria pollutant concentrations. Additionally, higher rates of asthma exacerbations among Non-Hispanic Black children could be due to reduced access to respiratory care that is potentially the result of financial instability and vehicle access. These results could inform city planners and health care providers to mitigate respiratory risks among these higher at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagadeesh Puvvula
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Jill A. Poole
- grid.266813.80000 0001 0666 4105Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA
| | - Yeongjin Gwon
- grid.266813.80000 0001 0666 4105Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA
| | - Eleanor G. Rogan
- grid.266813.80000 0001 0666 4105Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA
| | - Jesse E. Bell
- grid.266813.80000 0001 0666 4105Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA ,grid.24434.350000 0004 1937 0060School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE USA ,grid.24434.350000 0004 1937 0060Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE USA
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Park SS. Racial/ethnic inequalities in the indoor home environment among households with people with disabilities. Disabil Health J 2023; 16:101440. [PMID: 36754775 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2023.101440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The indoor home environment (IHE) is an important determinant of health. However, there is limited information about variation in the IHE by race/ethnicity among the population with disabilities. OBJECTIVE This study summarizes the IHE among households with any person with a disability (HWDs) and describes differences by race/ethnicity. The study evaluates whether these racial/ethnic differences are accounted for by demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic characteristics. METHODS Using a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey, descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine racial/ethnic differences across eight inadequate conditions of the IHE and the total number of inadequate conditions of the IHE. RESULTS Some IHE conditions are common, such as low indoor air quality. Large racial/ethnic differences in exposure persist, net of controls. Black, Hispanic, and Mixed Race/Ethnicity HWDs have greater exposure to low indoor temperatures, injury hazards, and lead than White HWDs. Black and Hispanic HWDs reside in dwellings with lower indoor air quality and pests/allergens than White HWDs. Mixed Race/Ethnicity HWDs are the only racial/ethnic minority group with greater barriers to water and sanitation than White HWDs. Asian households have comparable exposure to White households for all IHE conditions. Black, Hispanic, and Mixed Race/Ethnicity HWDs have about 23%, 17%, and 15% more inadequate conditions of the IHE than White HWDs, net of controls. CONCLUSION There is heterogeneity in exposure to inadequate conditions of the IHE, with Black, Hispanic, and Mixed Race/Ethnicity HWDs at a disadvantage compared to their White counterparts. It is critical to examine racial/ethnic variation when studying health inequalities in the IHE among HWDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung S Park
- Office of Population Research, Wallace Hall, Princeton University, NJ, 08540, USA.
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29
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Disparities in the Diagnosis and Management of Anaphylaxis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023; 23:13-19. [PMID: 36454450 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-022-01053-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The goal of this review is to characterize health disparities impacting the recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis. RECENT FINDINGS Previous research has identified major health disparities related to atopic conditions including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies (FA); however, disparities related to anaphylaxis have yet to be examined in depth. We found widespread health disparities in the incidence and severity of anaphylaxis, as well as in the management of allergies (particularly food allergies) that place individuals at risk of anaphylaxis. Sociodemographic factors are associated with numerous negative health outcomes related to anaphylaxis. We highlight several key steps that must be taken to address these disparities.
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Martinez A, Thakur N. Structural Racism and the Social Determinants of Health in Asthma. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1426:101-115. [PMID: 37464118 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-32259-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Asthma prevalence and morbidity are disproportionately higher among minoritized communities in the United States. Racial and ethnic disparities in asthma result from complex interactions across biological, environmental, and social factors. Asthma is considered a complex heterogeneous disease consisting of different phenotypes, some of which may be more common in individuals impacted by the downstream effects of structural racism and lack of access to the social determinants of health. Structural racism across generations has created and reinforced inequitable systems through policies and practices which are embedded in the economic, educational, health care, and justice systems (Bailey et al., N Engl J Med 384(8):768-773, 2021; Bailey et al., Lancet 389:1453-1463, 2017; Williams et al., Annu Rev Public Health 40:105-125, 2019). This manifests in an inequitable distribution of resources and the social determinants of health affecting an individual's physical and social environment (Bailey et al., Lancet 389:1453-1463, 2017; Thakur et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 202:943-949, 2020; Martinez et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 148(5):1112-1120, 2021). In this chapter, we outline how inequity in housing, zoning laws, urban planning, education, employment, healthcare access, and healthcare delivery is linked to higher asthma prevalence and morbidity. We also describe the role that chronic physiologic stress has on asthma by enhancing neuroimmune and immunologic responses to environmental exposures. Interventions aimed at addressing the physical or social environment of an individual or community have been shown to improve asthma outcomes in patients at higher risk of severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adali Martinez
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Neeta Thakur
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Gaffney AW. Disparities in Disease Burden and Treatment of Patients Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Med Clin North Am 2022; 106:1027-1039. [PMID: 36280330 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lung health reflects the inequities of our society. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are 2 lung conditions commonly treated in general clinical practice; each imposes a disproportionate burden on disadvantaged patients. Numerous factors mediate disparities in lung health, including air pollution, allergen exposures, tobacco, and respiratory infections. Members of racial/ethnic minorities and those of low socioeconomic status also have inferior access to high-quality medical care, compounding disparities in disease burden. Physicians can work against disparities in their practice, but wide-ranging policy reforms to achieve better air quality, housing, workplace safety, and healthcare for all are needed to achieve equity in lung health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam W Gaffney
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Health Alliance, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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32
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Kim B, Mulready-Ward C, Thorpe LE, Titus AR. Housing environments and asthma outcomes within population-based samples of adults and children in NYC. Prev Med 2022; 161:107147. [PMID: 35803352 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to indoor environmental risk factors is associated with patterns of asthma morbidity. In this study, we assessed the relationship between housing type (i.e., home ownership, public housing, rental assistance, rent-controlled housing and other rental housing) and asthma outcomes among New York City (NYC) adults and children (ages 1-13). We used the 2019 NYC Community Health Survey (CHS) and 2019 NYC KIDS survey to analyze associations between housing type and ever having been diagnosed with asthma ("ever asthma") and experiencing a past-year asthma attack. We further examined whether associations were modified by smoking status (among adults), smoking within the home (among children), and overweight/obesity. Among adults, living in public housing, compared to home ownership, was associated with higher odds of ever asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35, 2.84), and past-year asthma attack (OR = 2.24; 95% CI 1.21,4.18). Living in rental assistance housing was also significantly associated with ever asthma (OR = 1.75; 95% CI 1.16, 2.66). Associations between public or rental assistance housing and ever asthma were marginally non-significant among children. Associations between living in public or rental assistance housing and ever asthma were more pronounced among ever smokers than among never smokers. Housing environments remain important predictors of both pediatric and adult asthma morbidity. Associations between living in subsidized housing and asthma outcomes among adults are most apparent among ever smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byoungjun Kim
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States; Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Candace Mulready-Ward
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, NY, United States
| | - Lorna E Thorpe
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Andrea R Titus
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
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Akinbami LJ, Bryant-Stephens T. Increasing the Resolution and Broadening the Focus on Childhood Asthma Disparities. Pediatrics 2022; 150:188584. [PMID: 35871698 PMCID: PMC9377684 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-057206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lara J. Akinbami
- National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, Maryland
| | - Tyra Bryant-Stephens
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Marquez E, Coughenour C, Gakh M, Tu T, Usufzy P, Gerstenberger S. A Mixed-Methods Assessment of Residential Housing Tenants’ Concerns about Property Habitability and the Implementation of Habitability Laws in Southern Nevada. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148537. [PMID: 35886389 PMCID: PMC9317624 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Housing is a key health determinant. Habitability laws set minimum standards for adequate housing. However, accessing them to ensure adequate housing may be a challenge for many tenants. This paper explores the need for rental housing policy that would better support adequate and safe housing, particularly for low-income renters. A mixed-methods approach assessed residential tenant habitability concerns in Clark County, Nevada, through calls relayed to the Clark County Landlord–Tenant Hotline (CCLTH). Of the 2865 calls, 74.3% were from ZIP codes that were 80% of the median income and below. There was a significant relationship between the ZIP code-level income and the reporting of at least one essential habitability concern. Of the 266 participants that responded to a follow-up call, 34.6% reported that their complaint was resolved and there was no association between resolution and income. Qualitative data analysis from phone interviews revealed two central themes: (1) resources to navigate landlord–tenant laws are limiting and (2) housing policies need to be strengthened to help tenants and keep people housed. Understanding tenant concerns regarding substandard housing and related inequities can help inform rental housing policy and its implementation to promote healthy homes and improve health outcomes for communities burdened by poor rental housing conditions.
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Apter AJ, Bryant-Stephens T, Han X, Park H, Morgan A, Klusaritz H, Cidav Z, Banerjee A, Localio AR, Morales KH. Clinic navigation and home visits to improve asthma care in low income adults with poorly controlled asthma: Before and during the pandemic. Contemp Clin Trials 2022; 118:106808. [PMID: 35644376 PMCID: PMC9973549 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.106808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Asthma-related deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency visits are more numerous among low-income patients, yet management guidelines do not address this high-risk group's special needs. We recently demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary evidence of effectiveness of two interventions to improve access to care, patient-provider communication, and asthma outcomes: 1) Clinic Intervention (CI): study staff facilitated patient preparations for office visits, attended visits, and afterwards confirmed patient understanding of physician recommendations, and 2) Home Visit (HV) by community health workers for care coordination and informing clinicians of home barriers to managing asthma. The current project, denominated "HAP3," combines these interventions for greater effectiveness, delivery of guideline-based asthma care, and asthma control for low-income patients recruited from 6 primary care and 3 asthma specialty practices. We assess whether patients of clinicians receiving guideline-relevant, real-time feedback on patient health and home status have better asthma outcomes. In a pragmatic factorial longitudinal trial, HAP3 enrolls 400 adults with uncontrolled asthma living in low-income urban neighborhoods. 100 participants will be randomized to each of four interventions: (1) CI, (2) CI with HVs, (3) CI and real-time feedback to asthma clinician of guideline-relevant elements of patients' current care, or (4) both (2) and (3). The outcomes are asthma control, quality of life, ED visits, hospitalizations, prednisone bursts, and intervention costs. The COVID-19 pandemic struck 6.5 months into recruitment. We describe study development, design, methodology, planned analysis, baseline findings and adaptions to achieve the original aims of improving patient-clinician communication and asthma outcomes despite the markedly changed pandemic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J Apter
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 829 Gates/ HUP, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Tyra Bryant-Stephens
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, CHOP Roberts Building, 27616 South Street Room 9364, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA.
| | - Xiaoyan Han
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 829 Gates/ HUP, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 600 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Hami Park
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 829 Gates/ HUP, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Anna Morgan
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 6th floor, 3701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Heather Klusaritz
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Room 143 Anatomy Chemistry, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Zuleyha Cidav
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania 3535 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Audreesh Banerjee
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 9th floor, 3737 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - A Russell Localio
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 600 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Knashawn H Morales
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 600 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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36
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Bozigar M, Connolly CL, Legler A, Adams WG, Milando CW, Reynolds DB, Carnes F, Jimenez RB, Peer K, Vermeer K, Levy JI, Fabian MP. In-home environmental exposures predicted from geospatial characteristics of the built environment and electronic health records of children with asthma. Ann Epidemiol 2022; 73:38-47. [PMID: 35779709 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2022.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Children may be exposed to numerous in-home environmental exposures (IHEE) that trigger asthma exacerbations. Spatially linking social and environmental exposures to electronic health records (EHR) can aid exposure assessment, epidemiology, and clinical treatment, but EHR data on exposures are missing for many children with asthma. To address the issue, we predicted presence of indoor asthma trigger allergens, and estimated effects of their key geospatial predictors. METHODS Our study samples were comprised of children with asthma who provided self-reported IHEE data in EHR at a safety-net hospital in New England during 2004-2015. We used an ensemble machine learning algorithm and 86 multilevel features (e.g., individual, housing, neighborhood) to predict presence of cockroaches, rodents (mice or rats), mold, and bedroom carpeting/rugs in homes. We reduced dimensionality via elastic net regression and estimated effects by the G-computation causal inference method. RESULTS Our models reasonably predicted presence of cockroaches (area under receiver operating curves [AUC] = 0.65), rodents (AUC = 0.64), and bedroom carpeting/rugs (AUC = 0.64), but not mold (AUC = 0.54). In models adjusted for confounders, higher average household sizes in census tracts were associated with more reports of pests (cockroaches and rodents). Tax-exempt parcels were associated with more reports of cockroaches in homes. Living in a White-segregated neighborhood was linked with lower reported rodent presence, and mixed residential/commercial housing and newer buildings were associated with more reports of bedroom carpeting/rugs in bedrooms. CONCLUSIONS We innovatively applied a machine learning and causal inference mixture methodology to detail IHEE among children with asthma using EHR and geospatial data, which could have wide applicability and utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Bozigar
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
| | - Catherine L Connolly
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | | | - William G Adams
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA; Biomedical Informatics Core, Boston University Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Chad W Milando
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - David B Reynolds
- Mathematics and Statistics Department, Boston University Arts and Sciences, Boston, MA
| | - Fei Carnes
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Raquel B Jimenez
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Komal Peer
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | | | - Jonathan I Levy
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Maria Patricia Fabian
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
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37
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Del Buono BC, Salhi BA, Kimmel AE, Santen SA, Jarrell KL, White MH, Brown CK, Moll JL. Prioritizing homelessness in emergency medicine education: A concept paper. AEM EDUCATION AND TRAINING 2022; 6:S85-S92. [PMID: 35774356 PMCID: PMC9222893 DOI: 10.1002/aet2.10753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Patients experiencing homelessness visit the emergency department (ED) often and have worse clinical outcomes. Caring for this patient population is complex, challenging, and resource-intensive. Emergency medicine (EM) education is lacking in formal curricula on the topic of homelessness, despite benefits for resident morale and patient care. Our goals were to identify a gap in EM education and training of the intersection of housing and health and propose educational topics and teaching methods to be included in residency curricula. Methodology was based on the development of a didactic session at the 2021 SAEM Annual Meeting. A needs assessment was performed through a review of medical education literature, a national survey of EM residency curricula, the individual curricula utilized by respective team members, and perspective from the team's own individual experiences with teaching about homelessness. Topics presented were chosen through discussion between the authors and determined to be common and relevant and cover a broad spectrum of content. The four presented topics included the intersection of COVID-19 and housing, the impact of LGBTQIA+ status on homelessness, housing status related to health system utilization and health outcomes, and housing inequity as a means of perpetuating structural racism. Suggestions for education of these topics included case-based learning, journal clubs, simulation, collaboration with social work, quality improvement projects, and engagement with community leaders. The ED is uniquely positioned to encounter the impacts of homelessness on health. Emergency physicians should be prepared to effectively care for these patients with complex social needs. Structured learning on this topic would benefit EM resident growth and lead to better patient care through improved screening, recognition of risk factors, and use of social resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict C. Del Buono
- Department of Emergency MedicineVirginia Commonwealth University School of MedicineRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Bisan A. Salhi
- Department of Emergency MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Alexis E. Kimmel
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Sally A. Santen
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of MedicineProfessor, Emergency Medicine and Medical EducationUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Kelli L. Jarrell
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Melissa H. White
- Department of Emergency MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Christopher K. Brown
- Department of Emergency MedicineVirginia Commonwealth University School of MedicineRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Joel L. Moll
- Department of Emergency MedicineVirginia Commonwealth University School of MedicineRichmondVirginiaUSA
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38
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Garg R, McQueen A, Wolff JM, Skinner KE, Kegler MC, Kreuter MW. Low housing quality, unmet social needs, stress and depression among low-income smokers. Prev Med Rep 2022; 27:101767. [PMID: 35321214 PMCID: PMC8935510 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 60% of low-income smokers reported housing quality problems. Problems with housing quality were among the most common social needs. Housing quality problems were associated with worse measures of health. Poor housing quality may exacerbate health disparities for low-income smokers.
Smokers are at greater risk of multiple health conditions that are exacerbated by environmental hazards associated with low housing quality. However, little is known about the prevalence of low housing quality among low-income smokers. Using correlations and logistic regression, we examined associations among eight housing quality indicators – pests, water leaks, mold, lead paint, and working smoke detectors, appliances, heating, and air conditioning – and between housing quality and social needs, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, sleep problems, and self-rated health in a community-based sample of 786 low-income smokers from 6 states. Most participants were female (68%), and White (45%) or African-American (43%). One in four (27%) completed less than high school education, and 41% reported annual pre-tax household income of less than $10,000. Housing quality problems were common. Most participants (64%) reported at least one problem in their home, and 41% reported two or more problems, most commonly pest infestations (40%), water leaks (22%), lack of air conditioning (22%) and mold (18%). Lack of heat and air conditioning were correlated, as were water leaks and mold. Using logistic regression analyses controlling for participant demographic characteristics, we found that reporting more housing quality problems was associated with greater odds of worse mental and physical health outcomes. Multiple health threats, including housing quality, depressive symptoms, stress, poor sleep, and financial strain may be mutually reinforcing and compound the health consequence of smoking. Future research should seek to replicate these findings in other samples, and examine associations longitudinally to better understand causality.
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Schinasi LH, Kenyon CC, Hubbard RA, Zhao Y, Maltenfort M, Melly SJ, Moore K, Forrest CB, Diez Roux AV, de Roos AJ. Associations between high ambient temperatures and asthma exacerbation among children in Philadelphia, PA: a time series analysis. Occup Environ Med 2022; 79:326-332. [PMID: 35246484 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-107823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES High ambient temperatures may contribute to acute asthma exacerbation, a leading cause of morbidity in children. We quantified associations between hot-season ambient temperatures and asthma exacerbation in children ages 0-18 years in Philadelphia, PA. METHODS We created a time series of daily counts of clinical encounters for asthma exacerbation at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia linked with daily meteorological data, June-August of 2011-2016. We estimated associations between mean daily temperature (up to a 5-day lag) and asthma exacerbation using generalised quasi-Poisson distributed models, adjusted for seasonal and long-term trends, day of the week, mean relative humidity,and US holiday. In secondary analyses, we ran models with adjustment for aeroallergens, air pollutants and respiratory virus counts. We quantified overall associations, and estimates stratified by encounter location (outpatient, emergency department, inpatient), sociodemographics and comorbidities. RESULTS The analysis included 7637 asthma exacerbation events. High mean daily temperatures that occurred 5 days before the index date were associated with higher rates of exacerbation (rate ratio (RR) comparing 33°C-13.1°C days: 1.37, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.82). Associations were most substantial for children ages 2 to <5 years and for Hispanic and non-Hispanic black children. Adjustment for air pollutants, aeroallergens and respiratory virus counts did not substantially change RR estimates. CONCLUSIONS This research contributes to evidence that ambient heat is associated with higher rates of asthma exacerbation in children. Further work is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah H Schinasi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA .,Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chen C Kenyon
- PolicyLab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rebecca A Hubbard
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuzhe Zhao
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mitchell Maltenfort
- The Applied Clinical Research Center, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Steven J Melly
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kari Moore
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher B Forrest
- The Applied Clinical Research Center, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ana V Diez Roux
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anneclaire J de Roos
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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