However, it is clear that a changing environment and our living conditions are important contributors to the rise in asthma prevalence witnessed over the last 4 decades. The root causes of asthma are complicated. Exposing non-white and low-income people disproportionately to environmental hazards is environmental racism, and must be recognized and ended. Indeed, disparities in asthma prevalence exist: Native American/American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders, African Americans, and families living in poverty have sometimes twice the prevalence and more than twice the incidence of hospitalizations for asthma exacerbations. Low income and people of color in the Tacoma area are already burdened by increased air pollution. Given that poor air quality increases asthma symptoms, asthma management is concerned with environmental justice. Environmental triggers for asthma are wide ranging and numerous, including social stress, violence, discrimination, economic instability, and indoor and outdoor air pollution. The four national guidelines for asthma management as described by the American Thoracic Society and the American Lung Association include medication management, two or more provider visits a year, patient education, and reducing exposure to environmental triggers. Medical breakthroughs in reversing airway inflammation mean that today while asthma cannot be cured, it can be controlled, provided the right steps are taken to eliminate or mitigate environmental threats. Poor asthma control also contributes to missed work days, overuse of emergency medical response systems, and economic losses for our communities. Asthma exacerbations account for more missed school days than any other childhood chronic disease. Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood occurring in one in seven families (15,000 children) in Pierce County. This includes halting new fossil fuel projects, divesting money from existing fossil fuel infrastructure, and promoting renewable energy sources.Īsthma is an important problem in Pierce CountyĪsthma is a syndrome of diseases affecting the upper airways characterized by reversible inflammation, airway constriction and mucus production. We must stop climate change in order to promote lung health for future generations.Here we focus on how wood smoke and diesel use, both linked to climate change, make asthma worse. Climate change increases prevalence of asthma symptoms and attacks in various ways.Asthma disproportionally affects Black, Brown, and poor people, making it an environmental justice issue. Asthma is an important health problem in our local area, and is linked to environmental triggers. With being World Asthma Day, our first topic has been the link between asthma management and climate change.
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