Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Particle-bound Bet v 1 Allergen in PM10
Published on: November 19, 2016
Multi-Level Socioenvironmental Contributors to Childhood Asthma in New York City: a Cluster Analysis
Sana Khan1, Sarah Bajwa2, Diksha Brahmbhatt2
1City University of New York Institute for State and Local Governance, New York, NY, USA.
Insights
Childhood asthma exacerbations are linked to neighborhood housing and built environment factors. Children in areas with more rental, high-density, and older buildings face higher risks, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Health
- Urban Health Disparities
Background:
- Childhood asthma exacerbations are a major cause of pediatric emergency visits and hospitalizations.
- Disparities exist, with Latinx and Black children in NYC experiencing higher rates compared to non-Latinx White children.
- Socioeconomic and environmental factors contributing to asthma exacerbations are often studied in isolation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined influence of individual and neighborhood socioeconomic and environmental factors on childhood asthma exacerbations in NYC.
- To identify predominant socio-environmental patterns affecting children in NYC.
- To determine if specific patterns are associated with increased likelihood of asthma exacerbations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the NYC Department of Health's KIDS 2017 survey and the US Census' American Community Survey.
- Employed cluster analysis to identify socio-environmental patterns.
- Applied logistic regression to assess the association between identified patterns and asthma exacerbations.
Main Results:
- Housing and built environment characteristics, including building density and age, were key differentiators of socio-environmental patterns.
- Children residing in neighborhoods with higher proportions of rental housing, high-density buildings, and older buildings showed increased odds of asthma exacerbations.
- Specific socio-environmental patterns were significantly associated with childhood asthma exacerbations.
Conclusions:
- Neighborhood housing and built environment characteristics are significant predictors of childhood asthma exacerbations in urban settings.
- Findings underscore the complex interplay of environmental and socioeconomic factors in pediatric asthma disparities.
- Results can inform targeted policies and practices to promote health equity in childhood asthma management.
Abstract:
Childhood asthma exacerbation remains the leading cause of pediatric emergency department visits and hospitalizations and disproportionately affects Latinx and Black children, compared to non-Latinx White children in NYC. Environmental exposures and socioeconomic factors may jointly contribute to childhood asthma exacerbations; however, they are often studied separately. To better investigate the multiple contributors to disparities in childhood asthma, we compiled data on various individual and neighborhood level socioeconomic and environmental factors, including education, race/ethnicity, income disparities, gentrification, housing characteristics, built environment, and structural racism, from the NYC Department of Health's KIDS 2017 survey and the US Census' American Community Survey. We applied cluster analysis and logistic regression to first identify the predominant patterns of social and environmental factors experienced by children in NYC and then estimate whether children experiencing specific patterns are more likely to experience asthma exacerbations. We found that housing and built environment characteristics, such as density and age of buildings, were the predominant features to differentiate the socio-environmental patterns observed in New York City. Children living in neighborhoods with greater proportions of rental housing, high-density buildings, and older buildings were more likely to experience asthma exacerbations than other children. These findings add to the literature about childhood asthma in urban environments, and can assist efforts to target actionable policies and practices that promote health equity related to childhood asthma.
More Related Videos
05:31Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
09:33Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India
Published on: December 23, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:30Asthma-IV: Nursing Management
First, in...