The results from this exploratory study suggest
that nearly 30% of the low-income preschool
population may be at risk for asthma
or asthma-like symptoms, and that AfricanAmerican
children may be at higher risk for
wheezing behavior than other racial groups.
Of those at risk, approximately half reported
no diagnosis of asthma. Despite a greater
awareness and better understanding of
asthma, the problem of definition and diagnosis
remains unresolved. Further research
is necessary to improve understanding of the
differences between children who wheeze and
those who do not, as well as comparing the
experiences of children who have been diagnosed
with asthma and those who have not.
Such studies would benefit from an examination
of medical records, particularly regarding
diagnosis of asthma or repeated doctor or
hospital visits for breathing problems.
Future studies will also benefit from inclusion
of empirically based indicators of environmental
exposures, such as air monitoring
data and the frequency, duration, and magnitude
of exposures. This line of research is
important for designers of primary prevention
efforts in this population. Because environmental
exposures may increase risk for development
of asthma-like symptoms, educational
outreach to parents and caregivers of young
children about environmental exposures may
be one such prevention method.
Acknowledgements: The authors would
like to thank the Allegheny County WIC
Program and ACHD for assistance in conducting
this study