The Southern California Children's Environmental Health Center involves two universities and various community groups in a series of 3 related studies: 1) The effect of outdoor air pollution on susceptibility to respiratory disease, and the potential protective effects of dietary intake of fruits, vegetables and genetic polymorphisms involved in lung defense, are being examined in a cohort of school children; 2) The effect of indoor environmental tobacco smoke on allergic response in animal models and in children with smokers in the home is being studied under controlled conditions in exposure chambers; 3) The efficacy of a community based health education intervention to control indoor allergen exposure and to reduce severity of asthma is under study in the homes of children allergic to cockroach or house dust mite allergen. Preliminary results suggesting both genetic and dietary modulation of the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, an adjuvant effect of cigarette smoke on allergic response, and response of indoor allergens to the home intervention will be presented. Discussion will focus on the community intervention study, including the recruitment and baseline characteristics of children from the Breathmobile, a mobile asthma clinics program which provides primary asthma care at 60 schools. This research in inner city populations has been strengthened by collaboration between universities and community groups. However, the long term measure of the success of such collaboration depends on the ability to develop a self-sustaining community service, which will outlast the specific research initiative.
Learning Objectives: Consider dietary and genetic influences on respiratory health; Describe adjuvant effects of cigarette smoke on immunologic response of children; Describe methods used in community collaborations for reducing indoor allergen exposures
Keywords: Asthma, Air Pollutants
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.