This program is entering its 10th year and is funded by The Heinz Endowments. It uses a brief, validated, electronic survey to assess prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma, risk of undiagnosed asthma, and asthma control among school children. It also uses data from regional medical centers to assess asthma outcomes in children and adults. Additionally, it assesses the impact of environmental exposures, including outdoor air pollution, on asthma prevalence and outcomes. Past and current efforts are focused in the Mon Valley and the Ohio River Valley of Western Pennsylvania.
Understand the true prevalence of asthma and poor disease outcomes in at-risk communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Determine the impact of environmental factors, including air pollution exposure, on these outcomes.
Educate impacted community members and relevant elected officials on these results.
Advocate for policy change to decrease outdoor air pollution and improve asthma outcomes.
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Documented alarming rates of asthma prevalence and poor disease control in a study of 1,200 school children residing near outdoor pollution sources in Western Pennsylvania.
Significance: Raised awareness of the impact of exposure to outdoor air pollution on poor asthma outcomes in children residing near air pollution sources in Western Pennsylvania and underscored the need for reductions in air pollution levels to improve asthma outcome.
Documented a near doubling in the number of sick visits to medical providers and emergency department visits for asthma attacks among nearby residents following a large fire and subsequent pollution control failure at a coke works facility in Western Pennsylvania.
Significance: Showed increased rates of asthma attacks in nearby residents following this industrial accident and underscored the need for prompt remediation and public notification of outdoor air pollution exceedances to prevent adverse health impacts.
Contact us if your school or organization is interested in educational programs for children, parents, staff or community members.
