The goal of the Center for the Asthmatic Child in the Urban Environment is to understand how exposures to environmental pollutants and allergens may relate to airway inflammation and respiratory morbidity in children with asthma living in the inner city of Baltimore and to develop effective strategies to reduce morbidity by changing these exposures. We have created a multidisciplinary program that includes both basic and applied research programs in combination with a community-based prevention research project. The program includes basic science studies of the interaction of airborne particles and soluble allergens in inducting airway inflammation and a model of genetic control of airway response to ozone and endotoxin. Community based studies include an epidemiologic comparison of ambient and indoor exposures to a variety of pollutants and allergens in the home and ambient environment to children's morbidity from asthma, as well as a randomized controlled clinical trial of home-based environmental interventions on asthma. These studies are conducted in a coordinated manner and begin with a school-based 6 week educational session for asthmatic children. At the end of the curriculum, parents will be contacted to recruit them into the baseline evaluation for the epidemiology and the intervention studies. The intervention study begins with home-based recruitment and a careful evaluation of the home environment and the child's asthma morbidity. The Treatment Group will receive allergen-proof mattress and pillow encasings for the child's bed, a room air cleaner for the child's room, pest control services if needed, smoking cessation support, and environmental avoidance education.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Asthma, Urban Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.