Studies & Reports
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A Study Examining the Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids to Maintain Asthma Control During Pregnancy
A nationwide, population-based cohort study published in 2026 investigated whether continuing inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with maternal and/or neonatal health risks, including 6,105 pregnant individuals with asthma who used ICSs before pregnancy. Researchers reviewed health records from more than 3.9 million pregnancies in Korea. Among these women, about…
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Discover the Current State of HVACs in California Schools
New findings reinforce a hard truth: the systems in California meant to protect children at school from a changing climate are too often failing them. UC Santa Barbara’s 2035 Initiative and UndauntedK12 published a new report, Analysis: The State of School HVAC in California, assessing more than 70,000 school HVAC units in over 1,600 California…
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Understanding the Co-Benefits of California’s Early Transition to Electric Vehicles
A 2023 study explored whether the growing adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) was associated with improvements in air quality and respiratory health in California. Researchers conducted a zip code-level ecologic study comparing ZEV adoption, nitrogen dioxide levels, and asthma-related emergency department visits from 2013 to 2019. Findings showed that increased ZEV adoption was associated with a…
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Study Explores Asthma Control Differences between Gas and Electric Stoves
A recent study, released in July 2026, explored whether replacing gas stoves with electric stoves could improve asthma control among individuals with poorly controlled asthma. Through a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) project, MetroHealth System and six Northeast Ohio community organizations provided electric stoves to 85 individuals with poorly controlled asthma and assessed changes in…
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A Two-Decade Study Reveals Asthma Prevalence Differences Among US Children
A cross-sectional study released during June 2026 in Medicine examined asthma trends among US adolescents aged 12-19 years over a 22-year time frame from 2001 to 2023. Researchers found that asthma prevalence remained consistently higher among non-Hispanic Black youth, with no significant reduction in disparities over the course of the study. Results also indicated little improvement in asthma control over time, emphasizing the need for equitable approaches to asthma management…
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American Lung Association’s Newest Wildfire Brief with a Focus on Public Policy Strategies to Reduce Exposure
The American Lung Association (ALA) published a wildfire brief titled “Wildfire Smoke & Public Health: Public Policy Strategies to Reduce Exposure and Strengthen Resilience.” This briefing paper was created for advocates, public health professionals and organizations, policymakers at every level, and everyone else who is interested in learning more about policy approaches decision makers can take to protect…
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The Link Between COVID-19 Infection and Asthma
A retrospective cohort study published by the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in May 2026 investigated whether COVID-19 infection increased the risk of developing asthma and other allergic conditions. Health records of more than 767,000 children and adults were reviewed, discovering that individuals who had COVID-19 were significantly more likely to develop new-onset asthma than those who were not infected by COVID-19. The strongest association was observed among children.…
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Researchers Explore the Role Genetics Play in Shaping the Effects of Air Pollution on Lung Function in Adults with Asthma
In June 2026, a cross-sectional study was published in the eBioMedicine, a part of The Lancet, exploring how genetic differences may shape the effects of air pollution on lung function in adults with asthma. Researchers analyzed data on 948 adults with asthma from the Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP). The results showed that higher exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was associated with lower…
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UK Researchers Show Air Pollution Exposure during Pregnancy and Early Childhood Affects Adolescent Lung Growth
In June 2026, a study published in the journal Environmental Research examined whether exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and early childhood impacts lung function growth from ages 8-24 years. Researchers investigated about 5,200 children in the United Kingdom and found that higher exposure to fine particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during early life was associated with small reductions in lung function growth. The effects…