New Research on Asthma Triggers

Robi Chatterji

New Research on Asthma Triggers

As a family physician, Dr. Robi Chatterji treats a wide variety of chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma. Dr. Robi Chatterji has cared for patients with this condition in a number of settings, including as a military physician at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

New Research on Asthma Triggers

Although many people believe that children in cities are more likely to develop asthma than their rural counterparts, a new study has emerged to challenge that notion. Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia followed 2,500 students at rural schools in Georgia as well as close to 7,300 students at public high schools in Detroit, Michigan. Diagnosed asthma rates in Detroit came in at 15 percent while an additional 8 percent had the condition but had not received a diagnosis. Surprisingly, 14 percent of the Georgia students had been diagnosed with asthma while 7.5 percent had undiagnosed asthma.

New Research on Asthma Triggers

These statistics fall somewhat above the national average, which holds that approximately 10 percent of all children in the United States have asthma. The rate among black children totals 20 percent, however, and the study sample was predominantly black. In addition, approximately 23 percent of students in the study were living below the poverty rate while 74 percent qualified for reduced-price or free school lunches. This indicates to researchers that the conditions of poverty, rather than urban living, place a child at greater risk of exposure to dust, mold, tobacco smoke, and other asthma triggers.