Childhood asthma and the possible relationship of this chronic childhood disease to exposures of hazardous substances in the environment is one of the most pervasive and familiar concerns of the American public. This project examines the spatial and temporal variances of childhood asthma in the four urban counties of Utah in relation to residential proximity to hazardous waste sites and other industrial sources. This project obtained hospital admission/discharge data from urban area hospitals and birth records from Utah vital records. This data was then used to geocode addresses at the time of hospital admission and birth. The purposes of this research project are to identify and quantify environmental hazards in Utah and evaluate the spatial and temporal relationships between childhood asthma in Utah and the environmental exposures. The mapping of the environmental hazards, and the residences of hospitalized childhood asthma cases, allow for exploratory assessment of the spatial correlation of the environmental hazards to hospitalization incidence in the State. Also, this will identify high-risk areas that can lead to pro-active public health action and will identify other areas of concern for further study. This project will better define the risks for asthma due to environmental exposures and help explain the role that environmental exposures can play in the etiology of childhood asthma.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Asthma, Environmental Exposures
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.