Bed bug infestation: Implications for the health of East Harlem children

Bed bug infestation in urban households and pesticides used to control infestation is a poorly understood risk to chlldren's health. No studies have been identified that describe the use of pesticides and other chemicals to control infestation or the health effects on children. A community-academic research partnership was established to explore and describe bed bug infestation in low income East Harlem households. The community partner, a faith and community-based organization serving East Harlem families since 1958, focuses on home nursing care for children and new mothers. Their home environmental intervention program was founded to remediate indoor asthma triggers. In 2009, referrals to control or remove bed bugs surpassed those for asthma, parallel to a trend in New York City. An exploratory study has systematically collected data on the health of children in households with reported bed bug infestation, the psychosocial and housing characteristics of their households, methods used to control the problem, the extent and type of pesticides used and perceived barriers to effective remediation. Analyses of these data will be reported focusing on health problems of children in homes with bed bug infestation and relationships with extent of infestation, housing type, extent and type of pesticide use and barriers to effective remediation. We will report these data which can be the basis for more a larger cohort study, to design and demonstrate efficacy of a model and standard of bed bug treatment and/or for use in policy advocacy in support of stronger housing and health laws and regulations to reduce and control bed bugs.