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Bakshi A, Apantaku E, Marquette T, Jacob C, Dumas SA, Friedman K, Aubin K, Soileau S, Kemmerly S. The Utility of Virtual Home Visits to Reduce Asthma Burden in Low-Income Black Communities in Louisiana During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Public Health Rep 2024; 139:53S-61S. [PMID: 38511560 DOI: 10.1177/00333549241236090] [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] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Louisiana Department of Health identified a need for greater outreach in low-income Black communities that addressed environmental asthma triggers. We piloted an asthma virtual home visit (VHV) program and evaluated its reach and ability to promote asthma self-management strategies in communities with a high prevalence of poorly controlled asthma. METHODS Participants from Louisiana were continuously recruited into the VHV program starting in March 2021 and provided with asthma education materials. Participants reporting poorly controlled asthma and environmental triggers were also offered 3 VHVs with a respiratory therapist. All participants were asked to complete a preintervention and postintervention knowledge test, an Asthma Control Test (ACT) (maximum score = 25; scores ≤19 indicate poorly controlled asthma), and a final survey that assessed perceptions about asthma management and reduction of environmental triggers. RESULTS As of October 2022, 147 participants were enrolled in the program, and 52 had consented to and received ≥1 VHV. Forty VHV recipients (77%) were aged <18 years, 40 (77%) were Black people, and 46 (88%) were from families with extremely low or low incomes. Asthma symptoms improved across all participants, with a median increase of 2.4 points on the ACT. Knowledge tests revealed that 86% of participants learned about ≥1 new asthma trigger; a larger percentage of VHV recipients than nonrecipients (68% vs 36%) had an improved knowledge test score postintervention. Compared with preintervention, about three-quarters of participants reported feeling more empowered to self-manage their asthma and a significant improvement in their quality of life postintervention. CONCLUSIONS The program provided virtual asthma education to communities with a high burden of asthma and improved asthma outcomes for participants. Similar virtual models can be used to promote health equity, especially in areas with limited access to health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arundhati Bakshi
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology & Toxicology, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Immunization Program, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Elora Apantaku
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology & Toxicology, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Tracy Marquette
- Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Colette Jacob
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology & Toxicology, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - S Amanda Dumas
- Bureau of Health Services Financing (Medicaid), Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Kate Friedman
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology & Toxicology, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Kathleen Aubin
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology & Toxicology, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Shannon Soileau
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology & Toxicology, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Shaun Kemmerly
- Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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Khan JR, Lingam R, Owens L, Chen K, Shanthikumar S, Oo S, Schultz A, Widger J, Bakar KS, Jaffe A, Homaira N. Social deprivation and spatial clustering of childhood asthma in Australia. Glob Health Res Policy 2024; 9:22. [PMID: 38910250 PMCID: PMC11194868 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-024-00361-2] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory illness among children in Australia. While childhood asthma prevalence varies by region, little is known about variations at the small geographic area level. Identifying small geographic area variations in asthma is critical for highlighting hotspots for targeted interventions. This study aimed to investigate small area-level variation, spatial clustering, and sociodemographic risk factors associated with childhood asthma prevalence in Australia. METHODS Data on self-reported (by parent/carer) asthma prevalence in children aged 0-14 years at statistical area level 2 (SA2, small geographic area) and selected sociodemographic features were extracted from the national Australian Household and Population Census 2021. A spatial cluster analysis was used to detect hotspots (i.e., areas and their neighbours with higher asthma prevalence than the entire study area average) of asthma prevalence. We also used a spatial Bayesian Poisson model to examine the relationship between sociodemographic features and asthma prevalence. All analyses were performed at the SA2 level. RESULTS Data were analysed from 4,621,716 children aged 0-14 years from 2,321 SA2s across the whole country. Overall, children's asthma prevalence was 6.27%, ranging from 0 to 16.5%, with significant hotspots of asthma prevalence in areas of greater socioeconomic disadvantage. Socioeconomically disadvantaged areas had significantly higher asthma prevalence than advantaged areas (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.10, 95% credible interval [CrI] 1.06-1.14). Higher asthma prevalence was observed in areas with a higher proportion of Indigenous individuals (PR = 1.13, 95% CrI 1.10-1.17). CONCLUSIONS We identified significant geographic variation in asthma prevalence and sociodemographic predictors associated with the variation, which may help in designing targeted asthma management strategies and considerations for service enhancement for children in socially deprived areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahidur Rahman Khan
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.
| | - Raghu Lingam
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
- Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Louisa Owens
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
- Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine Chen
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Shivanthan Shanthikumar
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Steve Oo
- Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Andre Schultz
- Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
- University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - John Widger
- Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - K Shuvo Bakar
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
- Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Nusrat Homaira
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
- Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Wang Y, He Y, Shi Y, Qian DC, Gray KJ, Winn R, Martin AR. Aspiring toward equitable benefits from genomic advances to individuals of ancestrally diverse backgrounds. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:809-824. [PMID: 38642557 PMCID: PMC11080611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.04.002] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Advancements in genomic technologies have shown remarkable promise for improving health trajectories. The Human Genome Project has catalyzed the integration of genomic tools into clinical practice, such as disease risk assessment, prenatal testing and reproductive genomics, cancer diagnostics and prognostication, and therapeutic decision making. Despite the promise of genomic technologies, their full potential remains untapped without including individuals of diverse ancestries and integrating social determinants of health (SDOHs). The NHGRI launched the 2020 Strategic Vision with ten bold predictions by 2030, including "individuals from ancestrally diverse backgrounds will benefit equitably from advances in human genomics." Meeting this goal requires a holistic approach that brings together genomic advancements with careful consideration to healthcare access as well as SDOHs to ensure that translation of genetics research is inclusive, affordable, and accessible and ultimately narrows rather than widens health disparities. With this prediction in mind, this review delves into the two paramount applications of genetic testing-reproductive genomics and precision oncology. When discussing these applications of genomic advancements, we evaluate current accessibility limitations, highlight challenges in achieving representativeness, and propose paths forward to realize the ultimate goal of their equitable applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Yixuan He
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Yue Shi
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Reproductive Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - David C Qian
- Department of Thoracic Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kathryn J Gray
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robert Winn
- Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Alicia R Martin
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Ikuma L, Ntiamoah I, Van Doren A, Bakshi A, Nahmens I. Feasibility of residential air quality monitoring to address asthma outcomes. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2024; 21:311-318. [PMID: 38560887 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2024.2315158] [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: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Improving asthma outcomes for underserved populations can be addressed through interventions to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). New protocol for measuring IAQ and health outcomes are imperative given advances in IAQ monitoring technology and challenges in conducting intervention research in homes. In this pilot study HEPA air purifiers and HEPA vacuum cleaners were provided to five homes with children with asthma. For 6 weeks, eight common components of air quality were measured using a low-cost multi-channel air quality monitoring device, with data conveyed directly from participant homes via Wi-Fi connection. In conjunction with periodic surveys on asthma control, impact of asthma on quality of life and intervention compliance, outcomes compared IAQ, home characteristics, and asthma-related measures. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of a protocol to evaluate a dual component intervention to improve IAQ in homes, as measured with a low-cost air quality monitoring device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ikuma
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Isaac Ntiamoah
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Alicia Van Doren
- Family and Community Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | | | - Isabelina Nahmens
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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Swed S, Sawaf B, Al-Obeidat F, Hafez W, Rakab A, Alibrahim H, Nasif MN, Alghalyini B, Zia Zaidi AR, Alshareef L, Alqatati F, Zamrath Zahir F, Ahmed AI, Alom M, Sultan A, AlMahmoud A, Bakkour A, Cherrez-Ojeda I. Asthma prevalence among United States population insights from NHANES data analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8059. [PMID: 38580691 PMCID: PMC10997649 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58429-5] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a prevalent respiratory condition that poses a substantial burden on public health in the United States. Understanding its prevalence and associated risk factors is vital for informed policymaking and public health interventions. This study aims to examine asthma prevalence and identify major risk factors in the U.S. POPULATION Our study utilized NHANES data between 1999 and 2020 to investigate asthma prevalence and associated risk factors within the U.S. POPULATION We analyzed a dataset of 64,222 participants, excluding those under 20 years old. We performed binary regression analysis to examine the relationship of demographic and health related covariates with the prevalence of asthma. The study found that asthma affected 8.7% of the U.S. POPULATION Gender emerged as a significant factor, with 36.0% of asthma patients being male and 64.0% female (p < 0.001). Individuals aged 60 and older having the highest asthma prevalence at 34.0%. Non-Hispanic whites had the highest prevalence at 46.4%, followed by non-hispanic blacks at 26.0%. In contrast, Mexican Americans and other hispanic individuals had lower rates, at 9.6% and 9.0%, respectively. Females were 1.76 times more likely to have asthma than males (p < 0.001). Obese individuals had a 1.74 times higher likelihood of current asthma compared to underweight individuals (p < 0.001). Notably, both Non-Hispanic Whites and Non-Hispanic Blacks showed higher odds of current asthma compared to Mexican Americans (with adjusted odds ratios of 2.084 and 2.096, respectively, p < 0.001). The research findings indicate that asthma is prevalent in 8.7% of the U.S. POPULATION Our study highlights that individuals who are female, have low income, are obese, and smoke have the highest likelihood of being affected by asthma. Therefore, public health policies should prioritize addressing these risk factors in their preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarya Swed
- Faculty of Medicine, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.
| | - Bisher Sawaf
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Feras Al-Obeidat
- Associate Professor at the College of Technological Innovation at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi - Khalifa City, FF2-0-032; Abu Dhabi Campus, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Wael Hafez
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16Th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Assistant Professor; Internal Medicine Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute,, The National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St, Ad Doqi, Dokki, Cairo Governorate 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | | | | | - Baraa Alghalyini
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul Rehman Zia Zaidi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Fadel Alqatati
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | - Mulham Alom
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Anas Sultan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Division, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah AlMahmoud
- Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hepatology; Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda
- Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador
- Respiralab Research Group, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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Wadhwa A, Chen Y, Hageman L, Hoppmann A, Angiolillo A, Dickens DS, Neglia JP, Ravindranath Y, Ritchey AK, Termuhlen A, Wong FL, Landier W, Bhatia S. Poverty and relapse risk in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Children's Oncology Group study AALL03N1 report. Blood 2023; 142:221-229. [PMID: 37070673 PMCID: PMC10375268 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023019631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The association between individual-level poverty and relapse in children receiving maintenance treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains unclear. In a secondary analysis of COG-AALL03N1, we used data from US Census Bureau to categorize patients living below year-specific federal poverty thresholds, calculated using self-reported annual household income and size of household. Participants with federal poverty thresholds above 120% of their yearly household income were categorized as living in extreme poverty. Hazard of relapse was estimated using multivariable proportional subdistributional hazards regression for patients living in extreme poverty while receiving ALL maintenance therapy after adjusting for relevant predictors. Among 592 patients in this analysis, 12.3% of the patients were living in extreme poverty. After a median follow-up of 7.9 years, the cumulative incidence of relapse at 3 years from study enrollment among those living in extreme poverty was significantly higher (14.3%) than those not living in extreme poverty (7.6%). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that children living in extreme poverty had a 1.95-fold greater hazard of relapse than those not living in extreme poverty; this association was mitigated after the inclusion of race/ethnicity in the model, likely because of collinearity between race/ethnicity and poverty. A greater proportion of children living in extreme poverty were nonadherent to mercaptopurine (57.1% vs 40.9%); however, poor adherence did not completely explain the association between poverty and relapse risk. Future studies need to understand the mechanisms underlying the association between extreme poverty and relapse risk. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00268528.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Wadhwa
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Yanjun Chen
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Lindsey Hageman
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Anna Hoppmann
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC
| | | | - David S. Dickens
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Joseph P. Neglia
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | - A. Kim Ritchey
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Amanda Termuhlen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | - F. Lennie Wong
- Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Wendy Landier
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Smita Bhatia
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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Sun R, Chana SM, Hawes E, Hendricks PS, Cropsey KL, Gaggar A, Scarinci IC. Examining Racial/Ethnic and Income Disparities on Tobacco Product Use Among US Adults Within Wave 5 of the PATH Study. J Addict Med 2023; 17:373-378. [PMID: 37579089 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the interactions between race/ethnicity and income across different types of tobacco products. METHODS The prevalence of past 30-day use of cigarettes, traditional cigars, cigarillos, filtered little cigars, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among adults was examined by race/ethnicity and income levels based on wave 5 (2018-2019) data of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study. RESULTS Multivariate analysis across race/ethnicity and income showed that, although non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) were significantly more than likely to smoke cigarettes than non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) at low- and high-income levels, such disparity only applied to low-income Hispanics compared with low-income NHWs. NHBs were significantly more likely to smoke traditional cigars, cigarillos, and filtered little cigars than NHWs at low and high incomes. No differences were found between Hispanics and NHWs with regard to traditional cigars and cigarillos. However, low-income Hispanics were significantly less likely to smoke filtered little cigars than NHWs, whereas high-income Hispanics were more likely to do so than NHWs. With regard to ENDS, significant differences were only found at the low-income bracket with NHBs and Hispanics being less likely to smoke these products than NHWs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight significant interactions between race/ethnicity and income in the use of tobacco products, suggesting that income should be taken into account when designing interventions targeting different racial/ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyan Sun
- From the Department of Health Policy and Organization, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL (RS); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL (SMC, EH, KLC); Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL (PSH); Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL (AM); Pulmonary Section, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (AM); Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL (ICS)
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Chen J, Hao S, Wu Y. Housing and health in vulnerable social groups: an overview and bibliometric analysis. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2022; 37:267-279. [PMID: 34049423 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have confirmed that poor living conditions can lead to a wide range of health problems. However, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable groups in unstable housing are more susceptible to disease. This study aims to systematically examine the housing and health problems of vulnerable groups using a bibliometric approach to explore how housing causes health problems, types of health illnesses, and coping strategies. It is found that the poor housing mechanism, persistent inequalities, and poor housing environments have a significant impact on the health of vulnerable groups. Therefore, the government must make concerted efforts across all sectors to ensure that the housing and health care needs of vulnerable groups are improved, and that housing security standards and related policies are improved; targeted safety plans are formulated with community as the carrier, taking into account the characteristics of vulnerable groups; and new information technology is widely used to provide medical convenience for vulnerable groups. It is hoped that the research in this paper can arouse social attention to the health of vulnerable groups and improve their health from the perspective of housing, so as to point out the direction for solving the housing health problems of vulnerable groups in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhua Chen
- Department of Urban and Real Estate Management, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Shuya Hao
- Department of Urban and Real Estate Management, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Wu
- National Institute of Social Development, Central University of Finance and Economics, No. 5 Jiangguomennei Street, 100732, Beijing, Beijing, China
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Bakshi A, Van Doren A, Maser C, Aubin K, Stewart C, Soileau S, Friedman K, Williams A. Identifying Louisiana communities at the crossroads of environmental and social vulnerability, COVID-19, and asthma. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264336. [PMID: 35196332 PMCID: PMC8865632 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected the socially and environmentally vulnerable, including through indirect effects on other health conditions. Asthma is one such condition, which may be exacerbated by both prolonged adverse in-home exposures if quarantining in unhealthy homes and prolonged outdoor exposures if the ambient air quality is unhealthy or hazardous. As both are often the case in Environmental Justice (EJ) communities, here we have analyzed data at the census tract (CT) level for Louisiana to assess any correlation between social and environmental vulnerability, and health issues like COVID-19 and asthma. Higher Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), Particulate Matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) and Ozone levels were associated with higher rates of cumulative COVID-19 incidence at various time points during the pandemic, as well as higher average annual asthma hospitalization rates and estimated asthma prevalence. Further, cumulative COVID-19 incidence during the first three months of the pandemic was moderately correlated with both asthma hospitalizations and estimated prevalence, suggesting similar underlying factors may be affecting both conditions. Additionally, 137 CTs were identified where social and environmental vulnerabilities co-existed, of which 75 (55%) had high estimated prevalence of asthma. These areas are likely to benefit from asthma outreach that considers both social and environmental risk factors. Fifteen out of the 137 CTs (11%) not only had higher estimated prevalence of asthma but also a high burden of COVID-19. Further research in these areas may help to elucidate any common social determinants of health that underlie both asthma and COVID-19 burdens, as well as better clarify the possible role of the environment as related to the COVID-19 burden in Louisiana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arundhati Bakshi
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Alicia Van Doren
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Colette Maser
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Aubin
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Collette Stewart
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Shannon Soileau
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Kate Friedman
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Alexis Williams
- Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
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10
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Workman B, Beck AF, Newman NC, Nabors L. Evaluation of a Program to Reduce Home Environment Risks for Children with Asthma Residing in Urban Areas. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:172. [PMID: 35010432 PMCID: PMC8750910 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric asthma morbidity is often linked to challenges including poor housing quality, inability to access proper medical care, lack of medications, and poor adherence to medical regimens. Such factors also propagate known disparities, by race and income, in asthma-related outcomes. Multimodal home visits have an established evidence base in support of their use to improve such outcomes. The Collaboration to Lessen Environmental Asthma Risks (CLEAR) is a partnership between the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the local health department which carries out home visits to provide healthy homes education and write orders for remediation should code violations and environmental asthma triggers be identified. To assess the strengths and weaknesses of the program, we obtained qualitative feedback from health professionals and mothers of children recently hospitalized with asthma using key informant interviews. Health professionals viewed the program as a positive support system for families and highlighted the potential benefit of education on home asthma triggers and connecting families with services for home improvements. Mothers report working to correct asthma triggers in the home based on the education they received during the course of their child's recent illness. Some mothers indicated mistrust of the health department staff completing home visits, indicating a further need for research to identify the sources of this mistrust. Overall, the interviews provided insights into successful areas of the program and areas for program improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Workman
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056, USA;
| | - Andrew F. Beck
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3026, USA;
| | - Nicholas C. Newman
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056, USA;
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3026, USA;
| | - Laura Nabors
- Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0068, USA;
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11
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Lawrence KG, Werder EJ, Sandler DP. Association of neighborhood deprivation with pulmonary function measures among participants in the Gulf Long-Term Follow-up Study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111704. [PMID: 34280418 PMCID: PMC8578346 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Individual-level socioeconomic status (SES) has been shown to be an important determinant of lung function. Neighborhood level SES factors may increase psychological and physiologic stress and may also reflect other exposures that can adversely affect lung function, but few studies have considered neighborhood factors. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to assess the association between neighborhood-level SES and lung function. METHODS We cross-sectionally analyzed 6168 spirometry test results from participants in the Gulf long-term Follow-up Study, a large cohort of adults enrolled following the largest maritime oil spill in US history. Outcomes of interest included the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; mL), the forced vital capacity (FVC; mL), and the FEV1/FVC ratio (%). Neighborhood deprivation was measured by linking participant home addresses to an existing Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and categorized into quartiles. Individual-level SES measures were collected at enrollment using a structured questionnaire and included income, educational attainment, and financial strain. We used multilevel regression to estimate associations between ADI quartiles and each lung function measure. RESULTS Greater neighborhood deprivation was associated with lower FEV1: βQ2vsQ1: -30 mL (95% CI: -97, 36), βQ3vsQ1: -70 mL (95% CI: -135, -4) and βQ4vsQ1: -104 mL (95% CI: -171, -36). FVC showed similar patterns of associations with neighborhood deprivation. No associations with the FEV1/FVC ratio were observed. CONCLUSION Neighborhood deprivation, a measure incorporating economic and other stressors, was associated with lower FEV1 and FVC, with magnitudes of associations reaching clinically meaningful levels. The impact of this neighborhood SES measure persisted even after adjustment for individual-level SES factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn G Lawrence
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Emily J Werder
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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12
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Mersha TB, Qin K, Beck AF, Ding L, Huang B, Kahn RS. Genetic ancestry differences in pediatric asthma readmission are mediated by socioenvironmental factors. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 148:1210-1218.e4. [PMID: 34217757 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social and financial hardships, combined with disease managment and environmental factors explain approximately 80% of the observed disparity in asthma-related readmissions between Black and White children. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether asthma-related readmissions differed by degree of African ancestry and the extent to which such an association would also be explained by socioenvironmental risk factors. METHODS This study used data from a prospective cohort study of 695 Black and White children aged 1 to 16 years with an asthma-related admission. The primary outcome was a similar readmission within 12 months. Each subject's African ancestry was determined by single nucleotide polymorphisms on a continuous scale ranging from 0 to 1 (0 = no African ancestry; 1 = 100% African ancestry). We also assessed 37 social, environmental, and clinical variables that we clustered into 6 domains (for example, hardship, disease management). Survival and mediation analyses were conducted. RESULTS A total of 134 children (19.3%) were readmitted within 12 months. Higher African ancestry was associated with asthma readmission (odds ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.18 for every 10% increase in African ancestry) with adjustment for age and gender. The association between African ancestry and readmission was mediated by hardship (sβ = 3.42, P < .001) and disease management (sβ = 0.046, P = .001), accounting for >50% of African ancestry's effect on readmission. African ancestry was no longer significantly associated with readmission (sβ = 0.035, P = .388) after accounting for these mediators. CONCLUSIONS African ancestry was strongly associated with readmission, and the association was mediated by family hardship and disease management. These results are consistent with the notion that asthma-related racial disparities are driven by factors like structural racism and social adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tesfaye B Mersha
- Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Ke Qin
- Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Andrew F Beck
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lili Ding
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Bin Huang
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Robert S Kahn
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
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13
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Abellard A, Pappalardo AA. Overview of severe asthma, with emphasis on pediatric patients: a review for practitioners. J Investig Med 2021; 69:1297-1309. [PMID: 34168068 DOI: 10.1136/jim-2020-001752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is the most common life-threatening chronic disease in children. Although guidelines exist for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, treatment of severe, pediatric asthma remains difficult. Limited studies in the pediatric population on new asthma therapies, complex issues with adolescence and adherence, health disparities, and unequal access to guideline-based care complicate the care of children with severe, persistent asthma. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of asthma, including asthma subtypes, comorbidities, and risk factors, to discuss diagnostic considerations and pitfalls and existing treatments, and then present existing and emerging therapeutic approaches to asthma management. An improved understanding of asthma heterogeneity, clinical characteristics, inflammatory patterns, and pathobiology can help further guide the management of severe asthma in children. More studies are needed in the pediatric population to understand emerging therapeutics application in children. Effective multimodal strategies tailored to individual characteristics and a commitment to address risk factors, modifiers, and health disparities may help reduce the burden of asthma in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arabelle Abellard
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrea A Pappalardo
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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14
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Abstract
Laws and policies are critical determinants of health and well-being. They can encourage positive behaviors and discourage harmful behaviors, and they can enhance or worsen health, health equity, health disparities, and health literacy. Recognizing their contribution to conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age, and people's experiences of these conditions, the US Department of Health and Human Services considered the roles of law and policy throughout its development of Healthy People 2030. Laws and policies often interrelate, but they have different purposes. A law is an established procedure, standard, or system of rules that members of a society must follow. A policy is a decision or set of decisions meant to address a long-term purpose or problem. Healthy People 2030 offers an opportunity for users in diverse sectors and at all levels to use laws and policies to support or inform the initiative's implementation, address health disparities and health inequities, and improve health and well-being in this decade. Introducing new laws and policies or rescinding existing ones to achieve Healthy People 2030 goals offers a chance to rigorously assess outcomes and weigh the balance of good outcomes against unintended consequences.
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15
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Evans M. The unequal housing and neighborhood outcomes of displaced movers. JOURNAL OF URBAN AFFAIRS 2021; 43:1214-1234. [PMID: 34916734 PMCID: PMC8673713 DOI: 10.1080/07352166.2020.1730697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Involuntary housing displacement is a stress-inducing life event that can cause and exacerbate both psychological and material hardship. Forced moves may invoke a disattainment process, whereby displaced movers move into lower quality housing and neighborhoods, placing them in a precarious housing position. Employing propensity score analyses, this study uses data from the recent mover module of the American Housing Survey to match recent movers whose moves were voluntary to recent movers whose moves were forced. Results show that moves caused by displacement compared to voluntary moves generally lead to worse housing and neighborhood outcomes. However, these results are dependent on the type of displacement experienced. Movers forced to leave their homes due to eviction move into worse housing and neighborhoods while forced moves caused by private action and foreclosure do not. Meanwhile, forced moves caused by natural hazards or government action result in worse housing, but not neighborhoods.
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16
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Le TP, Sutherlin TK, Teverbaugh LA, Gleason MM, Carlson JC. The impact of socioeconomic risk factors and mental health on asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2021; 126:453-457. [PMID: 33610758 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thao P Le
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | | | | | - Mary Margaret Gleason
- Eastern Virginia Medial School, Norfolk, Virginia; Childnren's Hospital of the King's Daughters, Chesapeake, Virginia
| | - John C Carlson
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Becerra MB, Avina RM, Jackson M, Becerra BJ. Role of food insecurity in prescription delay among adults with asthma: results from the California health interview survey. J Asthma 2019; 58:248-252. [PMID: 31578120 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2019.1676435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Food insecurity remains a major public health concern in the United States. Studies have noted that food insecurity can lead to lower healthcare utilization and poorer health status. Despite the continuous burden of asthma, little research has shown whether food insecurity serves as a social determinant to poor asthma care. In this study, we specifically focused on whether food insecurity can lead to delay in prescription medication for adults with asthma in California.Methods: We utilized the California Health Interview Survey. Survey weighted descriptive, univariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. A total of 11,645 observations, representing an average annual population size of 1,085,481 was included in this study.Results: Nearly 15% and 8% of participants were food insecure and had current asthma, respectively. Based on adjusted odds ratio, food insecure adults were 148% more likely to report delay in asthma prescription, as compared to those who were food secure (adjusted odds ratio =2.48; 95% CI: 1.58, 3.89).Conclusions: Given the delay in prescription, and thus appropriate health care, demonstrated in our study, targeted measures at point of care should be implemented to identify such at-risk patients early and provide resources for food aid to ensure optimal health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monideepa B Becerra
- Department of Health Science and Human Ecology, California State University, San Bernardino, CA, USA
| | - Robert M Avina
- Department of Health Science and Human Ecology, California State University, San Bernardino, CA, USA
| | - Maylen Jackson
- Department of Health Science and Human Ecology, California State University, San Bernardino, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin J Becerra
- School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
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18
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Fagnano M, Thorsness S, Butz A, Halterman JS. Provider Counseling About Secondhand Smoke Exposure for Urban Children With Persistent or Poorly Controlled Asthma. J Pediatr Health Care 2018; 32:612-619. [PMID: 30064929 PMCID: PMC6341479 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Urban children continue to be exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS), and this is particularly concerning for children with asthma. The objective of this study is to describe SHS exposure among urban children with asthma and assess SHS counseling delivered at primary care visits. We interviewed caregivers of 318 children (2-12 years) with persistent asthma at the time of a health care visit and reviewed medical records. We found that one third (32%) of children lived with a caregiver who smoked and that 15% lived with other smokers. Children whose caregivers smoked had the lowest prevalence of home smoking bans compared with homes with other smokers and no smokers (65% vs. 72% vs. 95%, respectively). Overall, 67% of caregivers received some SHS counseling. Providers most often counseled caregiver smokers; counseling occurred less frequently for caregivers in homes with other or no smokers. Further efforts to improve provider SHS counseling for all children with asthma are needed.
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19
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Alcala E, Cisneros R, Capitman JA. Health care access, concentrated poverty, and pediatric asthma hospital care use in California's San Joaquin Valley: A multilevel approach. J Asthma 2017; 55:1253-1261. [PMID: 29261336 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2017.1409234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND California's San Joaquin Valley is a region with a history of poverty, low health care access, and high rates of pediatric asthma. It is important to understand the potential barriers to care that challenge vulnerable populations. OBJECTIVE The objective was to describe pediatric asthma-related utilization patterns in the emergency department (ED) and hospital by insurance coverage as well as to identify contributing individual-level indicators (age, sex, race/ethnicity, and insurance coverage) and neighborhood-level indicators of health care access. METHODS This was a retrospective study based on secondary data from California hospital and ED records 2007-2012. Children who used services for asthma-related conditions, were aged 0-14 years, Hispanic or non-Hispanic white, and resided in the San Joaquin Valley were included in the analysis. Poisson multilevel modeling was used to control for individual- and neighborhood-level factors. RESULTS The effect of insurance coverage on asthma ED visits and hospitalizations was modified by the neighborhood-level percentage of concentrated poverty (RR = 1.01, 95% CI = 1.01-1.02; RR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.02-1.04, respectively). The effect of insurance coverage on asthma hospitalizations was completely explained by the neighborhood-level percentage of concentrated poverty. CONCLUSIONS Observed effects of insurance coverage on hospital care use were significantly modified by neighborhood-level measures of health care access and concentrated poverty. This suggests not only an overall greater risk for poor children on Medi-Cal, but also a greater vulnerability or response to neighborhood social factors such as socioeconomic status, community cohesiveness, crime, and racial/ethnic segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Alcala
- a Department of Public Health, School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts , University of California, Merced , California , USA.,b College of Health and Human Services , Central Valley Health Policy Institute, California State University , Fresno , California , USA
| | - Ricardo Cisneros
- a Department of Public Health, School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts , University of California, Merced , California , USA
| | - John A Capitman
- b College of Health and Human Services , Central Valley Health Policy Institute, California State University , Fresno , California , USA
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20
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Medsker BH, Forno E, Han YY, Acosta-Pérez E, Colón-Semidey A, Alvarez M, Alcorn JF, Canino GJ, Celedón JC. Cockroach allergen exposure and plasma cytokines among children in a tropical environment. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2017; 119:65-70.e3. [PMID: 28668242 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the effects of socioeconomic status or cockroach allergen on immune responses in school-age children, particularly in tropical environments. OBJECTIVE To examine whether cockroach allergen and/or socioeconomic status is associated with plasma cytokine levels in Puerto Rican children. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 532 children (6-14 years old) with (n = 272) and without (n = 260) asthma in San Juan (Puerto Rico). House dust allergens (cockroach [Bla g 2], dust mite [Der p 1], cat dander [Fel d 1], dog dander [Can f 1], and mouse urinary protein [Mus m 1]) were quantified using monoclonal antibody arrays. A panel of 14 cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-25, IL-31, IL-33, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α) was measured in plasma samples. Low household income was defined as less than $15,000 per year (below the median income for Puerto Rico in 2008-2009). Linear regression was used for the analysis of cockroach allergen and plasma cytokines. RESULTS In a multivariable analysis adjusting for low income and other allergen levels, cockroach allergen was significantly associated with decreased IL-17A and with increased levels of 8 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-25, IL-31, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α). After stratifying this analysis by cockroach allergy (ie, having a cockroach positive immunoglobulin E reaction), our findings remained largely unchanged for children sensitized to cockroach but became weaker and statistically nonsignificant for non-sensitized children. CONCLUSION Cockroach allergen has broad effects on adaptive immune responses in school-age children in a tropical environment, particularly in those sensitized to cockroach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brock H Medsker
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Erick Forno
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yueh-Ying Han
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Edna Acosta-Pérez
- Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Angel Colón-Semidey
- Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Maria Alvarez
- Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - John F Alcorn
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Glorisa J Canino
- Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Juan C Celedón
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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21
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Phillippi K, Hoeltzel M, Byun Robinson A, Kim S. Race, Income, and Disease Outcomes in Juvenile Dermatomyositis. J Pediatr 2017; 184:38-44.e1. [PMID: 28410093 PMCID: PMC5410644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.01.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the relationships among race, income, and disease outcomes in children with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). STUDY DESIGN Data from 438 subjects with JDM enrolled in the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Legacy Registry were analyzed. Demographic data included age, sex, race, annual family income, and insurance status. Clinical outcomes included muscle strength, presence of rash, calcinosis, weakness, physical function, and quality of life measures. Disease outcomes were compared based on race and income. RESULTS Minority subjects were significantly more likely to have low annual family income and significantly worse scores on measures of physical function, disease activity, and quality of life measures. Subjects with lower annual family income had worse scores on measures of physical function, disease activity, and quality of life scores, as well as weakness. Black subjects were more likely to have calcinosis. Despite these differences in outcome measures, there were no significant differences among the racial groups in time to diagnosis or duration of disease. Using calcinosis as a marker of disease morbidity, black race, annual family income <$50 000 per year, negative antinuclear antibody, and delay in diagnosis >12 months were associated with calcinosis. CONCLUSION Minority race and lower family income are associated with worse morbidity and outcomes in subjects with JDM. Calcinosis was more common in black subjects. Further studies are needed to examine these associations in more detail, to support efforts to address health disparities in subjects with JDM and improve disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Phillippi
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital/Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
| | - Mark Hoeltzel
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Angela Byun Robinson
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital/Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Susan Kim
- Division of Rheumatology, University of California at San Francisco, Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, CA
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22
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Chan MA, Ciaccio CE, Gigliotti NM, Rezaiekhaligh M, Siedlik JA, Kennedy K, Barnes CS. DNA methylation levels associated with race and childhood asthma severity. J Asthma 2016; 54:825-832. [PMID: 27929694 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2016.1265126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Asthma is a common chronic childhood disease worldwide. Socioeconomic status, genetic predisposition and environmental factors contribute to its incidence and severity. A disproportionate number of children with asthma are economically disadvantaged and live in substandard housing with potential indoor environmental exposures such as cockroaches, dust mites, rodents and molds. These exposures may manifest through epigenetic mechanisms that can lead to changes in relevant gene expression. We examined the association of global DNA methylation levels with socioeconomic status, asthma severity and race/ethnicity. METHODS We measured global DNA methylation in peripheral blood of children with asthma enrolled in the Kansas City Safe and Healthy Homes Program. Inclusion criteria included residing in the same home for a minimum of 4 days per week and total family income of less than 80% of the Kansas City median family income. DNA methylation levels were quantified by an immunoassay that assessed the percentage of 5-methylcytosine. RESULTS Our results indicate that overall, African American children had higher levels of global DNA methylation than children of other races/ethnicities (p = 0.029). This difference was more pronounced when socioeconomic status and asthma severity were coupled with race/ethnicity (p = 0.042) where low-income, African American children with persistent asthma had significantly elevated methylation levels relative to other races/ethnicities in the same context (p = 0.006, Hedges g = 1.14). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates a significant interaction effect among global DNA methylation levels, asthma severity, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia A Chan
- a Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology , Children's Mercy Hospital , Kansas City , MO , USA
| | - Christina E Ciaccio
- b Department of Pediatrics , University of Chicago Medicine, Comer Comer Children's Hospital , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Nicole M Gigliotti
- a Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology , Children's Mercy Hospital , Kansas City , MO , USA
| | - Mo Rezaiekhaligh
- a Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology , Children's Mercy Hospital , Kansas City , MO , USA
| | - Jacob A Siedlik
- c Department of Exercise Science and Pre-Health Professions , Creighton University , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Kevin Kennedy
- d Center for Environmental Health, Children's Mercy Hospital , Kansas City , MO , USA
| | - Charles S Barnes
- a Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology , Children's Mercy Hospital , Kansas City , MO , USA
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23
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Abid Z, Oh SS, Hu D, Sen S, Huntsman S, Eng C, Farber HJ, Rodriguez-Cintron W, Rodriguez-Santana JR, Serebrisky D, Avila PC, Thyne SM, Kim KYA, Borrell LN, Williams LK, Seibold MA, Burchard EG, Kumar R. Maternal age and asthma in Latino populations. Clin Exp Allergy 2016; 46:1398-1406. [PMID: 27238356 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Younger maternal age at birth is associated with increased risk of asthma in offspring in European descent populations, but has not been studied in Latino populations. OBJECTIVES We sought to examine the relationship between maternal age at birth and prevalence of asthma in a nationwide study of Latino children. METHODS We included 3473 Latino children aged 8-21 years (1696 subjects with physician-diagnosed asthma and 1777 healthy controls) from five US centres and Puerto Rico recruited from July 2008 through November 2011. We used multiple logistic regression models to examine the effect of maternal age at birth on asthma in offspring overall and in analyses stratified by ethnic subgroup (Mexican American, Puerto Rican and other Latino). Secondary analyses evaluated the effects of siblings, acculturation and income on this relationship. RESULTS Maternal age < 20 years was significantly associated with decreased odds of asthma in offspring, independent of other risk factors (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.57-0.93). In subgroup analyses, the protective effect of younger maternal age was observed only in Mexican Americans (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.79). In Puerto Ricans, older maternal age was associated with decreased odds of asthma (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44-0.97). In further stratified models, the protective effect of younger maternal age in Mexican Americans was seen only in children without older siblings (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.23-0.81). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In contrast to European descent populations, younger maternal age was associated with decreased odds of asthma in offspring in Mexican American women. Asthma is common in urban minority populations but the factors underlying the varying prevalence among different Latino ethnicities in the United States is not well understood. Maternal age represents one factor that may help to explain this variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Abid
- Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - S S Oh
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D Hu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - S Sen
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - S Huntsman
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - C Eng
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - H J Farber
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pulmonology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - D Serebrisky
- Pediatric Pulmonary Division, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - P C Avila
- Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - S M Thyne
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - K-Y A Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - L N Borrell
- Department of Health Sciences, Lehman College, CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - L K Williams
- Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA.,Center for Health Policy and Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - M A Seibold
- Center for Genes, Environment and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - E G Burchard
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R Kumar
- Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. .,The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Pacheco JA, Pacheco CM, Lewis C, Williams C, Barnes C, Rosenwasser L, Choi WS, Daley CM. Ensuring healthy American Indian generations for tomorrow through safe and healthy indoor environments. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:2810-22. [PMID: 25749318 PMCID: PMC4377934 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120302810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
American Indians (AI) have the highest rate of severe physical housing problems in the U.S. (3.9%). Little information exists about the environmental hazards in AI homes. The purposes of this paper are to discuss challenges that were encountered when recruiting AI for a home-and employment-based environmental health assessments, highlight major successes, and propose recommendations for future indoor environmental health studies. The Center for American Indian Community Health (CAICH) and Children's Mercy Hospital's Center for Environmental Health and Allergy and Immunology Research Lab collaborated to provide educational sessions and healthy home assessments for AI. Through educational trainings, more than 240 AI were trained on the primary causes of health problems in homes. A total of 72 homes and places of employment were assessed by AI environmental health specialists. The top three categories with the most concerns observed in the homes/places of employment were allergens/dust (98%), safety/injury (89%) and chemical exposure (82%). While some information on smoking inside the home was collected, these numbers may have been underreported due to stigma. This was CAICH's first endeavor in environmental health and although challenges arose, many more successes were achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Pacheco
- Center for American Indian Community Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS 1030, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
| | - Christina M Pacheco
- Center for American Indian Community Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS 1030, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
| | - Charley Lewis
- Center for American Indian Community Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS 1030, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
| | - Chandler Williams
- Center for American Indian Community Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS 1030, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
| | - Charles Barnes
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS 1008, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
- Department of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, 2401 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
| | - Lanny Rosenwasser
- Department of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, 2401 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
| | - Won S Choi
- Center for American Indian Community Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS 1030, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS 1008, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
| | - Christine M Daley
- Center for American Indian Community Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS 1030, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS 1008, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA.
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25
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Bellanti JA, Settipane RA. Environmental exposure, allergic disease and asthma: the distinguishing hallmark of allergy-immunology. Allergy Asthma Proc 2014; 35:427-8. [PMID: 25584908 DOI: 10.2500/aap.2014.35.3813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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