Environmental Health-Related Policies and Practices of Oklahoma Licensed Early Care and Education Programs: Implications for Childhood Asthma

Chronic Disease Risk of Family Child Care Professionals:: Results of a Statewide Survey of Health and Wellbeing Indicators

Objective

To document the chronic disease risk factors and prevalence rate of family child care professionals. Given that a significant number of young children spend time in family child care (FCC) settings, these environments are an important focus for efforts to improve children's health.

Methods

Data were collected in fall 2021 from a statewide survey of licensed FCC professionals in one mid-Atlantic state (N=541), using validated questionnaires to assess health status, including chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma, as well as nutrition and physical activity.

Results

While a majority of respondents reported good overall health and adherence to healthy behaviors like drinking water, eating fruits and vegetables, and engaging in physical activity, a substantial proportion were overweight or have obesity (86.1%), and there were notable rates of high blood pressure (41.1%) and asthma (17.9%). The study found higher diabetes rates among FCC professionals compared to national averages for early childhood education workers, possibly reflecting demographic differences.

Conclusions

The results highlight both areas needing support, such as managing chronic disease risks, and areas where FCC professionals excel, like maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.

Policy Implications

There is a need for targeted support for FCC professionals to manage and prevent chronic diseases, thereby ensuring their wellbeing and enabling them to continue being positive health role models for the children in their care.

Allergy from perspective of environmental pollution effects: from an aspect of atopic dermatitis, immune system, and atmospheric hazards-a narrative review of current evidences

Environmental pollution has become more diversified in recent years as technologies for urbanization is increasingly more advanced. Several environmental factors such as air and water pollutants have been linked to allergic symptoms. For instance, because of industrialization for city development in many countries, polluted soil or tiny particles in the air could result in an even more hazardous environment for people to reside. Aside from the aspects of environmental issues, other newly emerging factors such as the electromagnetic field (EMF) also require further investigation. Here, in this narrative review, we focused on allergens from atmospheric and water pollution, hygiene improvement, changes in food trend, and residential environmental pollution. Current evidences regarding the association between various pollutants and the potential clinical diseases could be induced. For people with high skin exposure to air pollutants such as PM 2.5, PM 10, or sulfur dioxide, potential onset of dermatological allergic events should be alerted. The mechanisms involved in allergic diseases are being discussed and summarized. Interactions between immunological mechanisms and clinical implications could potentially provide clearer view to the association between allergic status and pollutants. Moreover, understanding the mechanistic role of allergens can raise awareness to global environment and public health.

Cleaning Products Commonly Used in Oklahoma Family Child Care Homes: Implications for Respiratory Risk and Children's Health

Little is known about the cleaning products used by early care and education programs that contribute to childhood asthma, particularly in Oklahoma where rates of uncontrolled asthma are higher than national rates (60.0% vs. 50.3%, respectively). We conducted a cross-sectional study of cleaning products used by Oklahoma-licensed family child care homes (FCCHs) (n = 50) to characterize and identify potential respiratory-health risks associated with chemical contents. Overall, 386 chemicals were abstracted from the 132 reported products. Of these, 100 unique chemicals were identified. Four percent (4.2%) of providers used a product with a sensitizer that may cause allergy or asthma symptoms if inhaled and 35.4% used a product with an irritant that may cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Most (62.5%) reported using a product with a chemical that had a C=C double bond in its molecular structure that may make it highly reactive with other substances in the air and produce secondary air pollutants and 83.3% reported using a sodium hypochlorite containing product. Twenty-three percent reported products that contain carcinogens. Policy, educational, and technical assistance interventions are needed to promote the use of safer products and reduce respiratory and other health risks posed by chemicals in Oklahoma FCCHs.