Asthma: Nationally vs Locally

 Asthma Nationally:

In 2018, there are estimated to be "24.8 million Americans" diagnosed or living with asthma (ALA, 2018). This is equivalent to 7.7% of the population (ALA, 2018). The mortality rates associated with asthma nationally in 2016 sat at 3,518 people. The death rates are higher among the older population, see the image below from the CDC 2016 Database (ALA, 2018). 

Asthma Locally:

Within Dallas County, there are estimated to be "217,879 residents living with asthma" as of the 2015 needs assessment (Dallas County, 2016). As of 2019, asthma in Dallas county was "more prevalent in women than men", 11% to 5% (Parkland & DCHHS, 2019). Asthma seems to be more prevalent in the southern areas of Dallas county, see the image below from the Parkland Asthma Registry (Parkland & DCHHS, 2019). 

Ted Talk & Prompt:

https://www.ted.com/talks/luz_claudio_why_science_needs_community_engagement

What social determinants are a common denominator between the "high risk" zipcodes and asthma? What is one way to help reduce these high levels in those areas?

References: 

ALA. (2018). Asthma Trens and Burden. American Lung Association. Retrieved July 31, 2022, from https://www.lung.org/research/trends-in-lung-disease/asthma-trends-brief/trends-and-burden

Dallas County. (2016). As Equitable, Healthy, and Safe Dallas County. Dallas County. Retrieved July 31, 2022, from https://www.dallascounty.org/Assets/uploads/docs/hhs/dchs/DallasCountyCommunityHealthNeedsAssessment2016-FINAL.PDF

Parkland & DCHHS. (2019). Dallas County Community Health Needs Assessment 2019. Parkland. Retrieved July 31, 2022, from https://www.parklandhealth.org/Uploads/public/documents/PDFs/Health-Dashboard/CHNA%202019.pdf

Asthma in Dallas County

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the airways (Sockrider & Fussner, 2020). As of 2011, about 8% of the United States population, 25 million, suffers from asthma (CDC, 2011). In 2012, 10.7% of Dallas County adults had asthma (Healthy North Texas, 2012). The two main issues caused by asthma are inflammation and bronchospasms of and around the airways (Sockrider & Fussner, 2020). There are several environmental factors that can trigger asthma-like pollen, weather changes, air pollution (ozone), chemicals (pest control, paint or cleaning products), and smoke from cigarettes (Sockrider & Fussner, 2020). 

In Dallas, there are several factors that affect air quality. In 2019, Dallas, Texas failed to meet the air quality nationally mandated according to WHO (Air Quality Index, 2022). This issue can be due to the number of cars in Dallas, the multiple industries with loopholes to the current restriction levels, and the overall mismanagement of environmental health (A., 2021).

Some of the causes of asthma include severe respiratory infections like RSV. There have been animal studies that suggest that RSV and other respiratory viruses increase the risk of acquiring asthma (Edwards et al., 2012). Environmental factors in addition to respiratory infections can increase the risk of getting asthma. 

Due to the environmental factors that contribute to asthma, in low-income communities, what is one way to prevent this?

References:

A., R. (2021, March 10). Air pollution in Dallas: Why Air Quality in Dallas so bad? Green Leaf Air. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://greenleafair.com/air-pollution-in-dallas-why-air-quality-in-dallas-so-bad/

Air Quality Index. (2022). Dallas Air Quality Index (AQI) and Texas Air Pollution. IQAir. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://www.iqair.com/us/usa/texas/dallas

CDC. (2011, May 3). Asthma in the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/asthma/index.html

Edwards, M. R., Bartlett, N. W., Hussell, T., Openshaw, P., & Johnston, S. L. (2012, June 6). The Microbiology of Asthma. Nature News. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro2801

Healthy North Texas. (2012). Healthy North Texas. Healthy North Texas :: Indicators :: Adults with Asthma :: County : Dallas. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://www.healthyntexas.org/indicators/index/view?indicatorId=78&localeId=2631

Sockrider, M., & Fussner, L. (2020, November 1). What is Asthma? American Journal of respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/rccm.2029P25

 

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! 

The environment we live in affects all things related to health. This ranges from the food we can access to the providers we have available in our area. 

I am a public health grad student who will be covering asthma in Dallas, TX. Asthma is a chronic lung condition that narrows airways because of triggers. These triggers can include pollen, cold air, exercise, etc. Due to the number of people who suffer from asthma daily, myself included, I feel this is an important topic to cover and educate people on to improve the health of our community... 

Sophia C. 

set the “tone” for our blog topic/theme)