Asthma and neurodevelopmental and mental health disorder (NMD) multimorbidity in rural children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Environmental Health
• Mental Health

Background:

• Childhood asthma and neurodevelopmental/mental disorders (NMD) represent a significant public health concern.
• Rural environments may involve unique exposures and necessitate distinct healthcare approaches for affected children.
• The interplay between asthma and NMD in children, particularly in rural settings, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the influence of rural dwelling on the association between childhood asthma and NMDs.
• To identify potential differences in childhood asthma-NMD multimorbidity (CANM) between urban and rural populations.
• To highlight the need for rural-specific interventions and healthcare delivery models.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search across major databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, APA) up to February 2025.
• Analysis of existing studies examining the role of rurality in childhood asthma and NMD co-occurrence.
• Synthesis of findings regarding the frequency and impact of CANM in rural versus urban settings.

Main Results:

• Limited research exists on rural dwelling's effect on the childhood asthma-NMD relationship.
• Evidence suggests potential differences in CANM prevalence between urban and rural areas, though findings are inconsistent.
• Some studies indicate the effectiveness of rural-specific interventions in improving health outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Rurality is a critical factor to consider in research and clinical practice concerning CANM.
• Understanding the unique needs of rural populations is essential for developing innovative healthcare delivery.
• Addressing research and care gaps in CANM requires a focus on rural-specific factors and interventions.