Blog
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Statistics Show Percentage of US Adults with Asthma by State
In May 2018, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released statistics on the percentage of adults aged 18 – 64 with current asthma by state. The research found “during 2014-2016, 8% of US adults” had current asthma. Prevalence of asthma varied by state, with New Hampshire having the highest prevalence at 12.7%, and Hawaii with the…
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BUILD Health Challenge Releases Healthy Homes Des Moines Case Study
In 2018, the BUILD Health Challenge, which is working in communities across the country to drive sustainable improvements in community health, has released a case study of their experiences working with the Healthy Homes Des Moines collaborative. The collaborative applied the BUILD principles (Bold, Upstream, Integrated, Local, and Data-Driven) to treat asthma with healthy housing…
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Nemours and AcademyHealth Release Briefs on Medicaid Payment Strategies for Upstream Prevention
In June, 2018, Nemours and AcademyHealth released a series of six briefs examining how states can use existing Medicaid authority to finance upstream prevention. These briefs were developed through technical assistance to Maryland, Oregon, and Washington, and aim to show how states can pursue sustainable financing through Medicaid for preventing chronic diseases at both the…
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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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Fact Sheets on Work-Related Asthma from the California Department of Public Health
The California Department of Public Health’s Occupational Health Branch has released a series of fact sheets about how working around disinfectants, fragrances and cleaning products may cause asthma. In order to be more accessible to California’s population, the guides are available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Disinfectants and Work-Related Asthma for Workers English…
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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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Webinar Recording: Sustainable Financing for Asthma Education and Home Environmental Trigger Remediation – Lessons Learned from the Field
In the Fall 2017, RAMP released Sustainable Financing for Asthma Education and Home Environmental Trigger Remediation: Lessons Learned from the Field. The document highlights lessons learned from a variety of efforts across select states to increase access to and the sustainability of in-home asthma services. To ensure that people with poorly controlled asthma have access…