288045
Environmental factors influencing asthma severity and control among children participating in HEAL, phase II
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Leonard Jack Jr., PhD, Msc,
Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education, College of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
Robert Post, MD,
Community Clinic, Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Stacey Denham, MSW, MPH, AE-C,
Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education, College of Pharmacy, Xavier University, New Orleans, LA
: Pediatric asthma is a growing public health issue, which disproportionately affects low income people and minorities. Childhood asthma also places strain on health care resources because of doctor and hospital visits and the cost of treatment. The prevalence of asthma varies globally, possibly because of different exposure to respiratory infection, indoor and outdoor pollution, and diet. Certain environmental risk factors appear to predispose children to developing asthma and atopic disease. Although the clinical manifestations of asthma are known, the exact relationships between exposure and/or severity of disease are still being examined. We hypothesized that the severity and control of asthma among children participating in the Head-off Environmental Asthma in Louisiana (HEAL) Phase II project was associated with exposure to environmental triggers, such as exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, pet dander, moisture and carpet. To test this hypothesis, we used responses obtained from the Child Asthma Risk Assessment Tool (CARAT) to determine if environmental exposures are associated asthma severity and control among children participating in the study. The CARAT is an assessment tool designed to help clinicians, asthma counselors and parents determine potential risks for children with asthma. Preliminary analysis included data from patients having the CARAT survey, severity assessment and control assessment completed at baseline. Tests for associations produced differences in proportions of environmental exposure among categories of asthma severity and control, but none of the differences were found to be statistically significant. Further analysis of baseline data will continue to monitor the connection between environmental exposures and both asthma severity and control. Results from the CARAT can be used to identify areas that need to be targeted in the development of effective pediatric asthma interventions.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the purpose of the HEAL, Phase II project.
Compare proportions of environmental exposures experienced by asthmatic children by asthma severity and control.
Assess associations between environmental factors and asthma severity and control.
Keyword(s): Asthma, Children's Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I currently serve as the Head-off Environmental Asthma in Louisiana, Phase II project biostatistician. I am responsible for all data collection and analysis tasks in relation to the research project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
