For years, people have believed that asthma is more prevalent in inner-city communities, due to higher levels of pollution. However, researchers from Johns Hopkins University recently found that there is no link between urban living and asthma.
The scientists studied data from 23,065 children across the United States, collected in the National Health Interview Survey, finding that self-reported asthma attacks occurred with the same frequency in rural areas as in urban ones. However, there was some basis for the inner-city myth, researchers reported, in that race, ethnicity and poverty were factors more highly associated with lung disease.
For instance, children from African American, Puerto Rican and indigent communities were more likely to suffer from asthma. According to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 12.9 percent of children living in inner cities have asthma, compared to 10.6 percent elsewhere. However, these differences disappeared when the variables of race, income and ethnicity were factored in.
Scientists report that more studies are warranted, but that it appears that individuals of African American or Puerto Rican descent may have inherited a genetic predisposition for developing asthma. Families living in poverty suffer from asthma at higher rates due to increased exposure to mice, cockroaches, cigarette smoke, pre-term births and maternal stress.
So, it's not necessarily where you live that affects your child's likelihood of developing asthma. Asthma can occur in anywhere and in any community, but luckily there are medications and coping methods that allow it to be well controlled.
If you have questions about allergy prevention, contact Allergy Be Gone today. We can help you find ways to handle your symptoms so you can lead a happier and healthier life.
