Studies & Reports
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County Health Department Investigates Effects of Plant Closure on Emergency Department Visits
A study undertaken by the Allegheny County Health Department found that emergency room visits for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Pittsburgh dropped by 37.9% in the year following the closure of Shenango Coke Works, one of the largest polluters in the county. The health department also found particulate matter pollution decreased in the…
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Study Assesses Prevalence of Asthma, Asthma Attacks and Emergency Department Visits Among Working Adults
The April 2018 edition of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report includes a study that sought “to assess the industry- and occupation-specific prevalence of current asthma, asthma attacks, and asthma-related emergency department visits among working adults.” Researchers analyzed 2011-2016 National Health Interview Survey data for participants over the age of 18 who “were employed at some…
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Researchers Evaluate Education Interventions on the Use of Metered-Dose Inhalers
The Indian Journal of Pharmacology’s April 2017 edition included a study evaluating the impacts of educational interventions on the use of metered-dose inhalers (MDI) by patients. To conduct the study, researchers assigned 100 patients into two groups, one which was “taught the use of MDI by demonstration of the technique” and the other “educated about…
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Study Seeks to Identify Genetic Associations of Bronchodilator Drug Response
The March 2018 Edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine included an article that sought to “identify genetic association with bronchodilator drug response (BDR),” noting “there are significant racial/ethnic differences in” drug response. Researchers “performed the first whole genome sequencing (WGS) pharmacogenetics study from 1,441 children with asthma.” In reviewing the…
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Researchers Investigate Effects of Traffic Related Air Pollution on Development and Persistence of Asthma
Environmental International’s April 2018 edition includes an article that discusses the longer-term effects of Traffic Related Air Pollution (TRAP) on those with respiratory diseases. In order to examine the issue, researchers measured “TRAP exposure at age 45 years” based on individuals’ residential addresses and compared it with “changes in asthma and lung function.” The researchers…
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Paper Examines Effects of Congestion Tax on Pollution and Asthma in Children
The National Bureau of Economic Research has released a working paper that “examines the effects of implementing a congestion tax in central Stockholm on both ambient air pollution and the population health of local children.” The researchers found “the tax reduced ambient air pollution by 5 to 15 percent,” and led to “a significant decrease…
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Feasibility Study Investigates Body Mass Index, Vitamin D Status and Asthma Control in Inner-City Children
In the March 2018 edition of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, a study examined the feasibility of “assessing weekly reports of breathing problems” and “the distribution of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (250HD) and related biomarkers” in thirty two young children with asthma. The researchers noted obesity “appears to significantly increase risk of poor asthma control, with serum…
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CDC Releases Vital Signs Report on Asthma in Children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a Vital Signs report which highlights its shared work with the Environmental Protection Agency in improving children’s health and extending those health benefits to all children. The report released in February 2018 focuses on the effects of asthma in children. Among the report’s findings, the CDC…
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Study Examines Asthma Mortality by Industry and Occupation
In Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report’s January 2018 edition an article examined asthma mortality rates by industry and occupation. Researchers analyzed “multiple cause-of-death data for 1999-2016 and industry and occupation information collected from 26 states” for persons aged 15-64 years old. In reviewing this data, researchers found the annual age-adjusted asthma death rate per 1…