Evaluation of associations between asthma exacerbations and distance to roadways using geocoded electronic health records data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Asthma exacerbations in children often require medications, urgent care, and hospitalization. Multiple environmental triggers have been associated with asthma exacerbations, including particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and ozone, which are primarily generated by motor vehicle exhaust. There is mixed evidence as to whether proximity to highways increases risk of asthma exacerbations.

Methods

To evaluate the impact of highway proximity, we assessed the association between asthma exacerbations and the distance of child's primary residence to two types of roadways in Durham County, North Carolina, accounting for other patient-level factors. We abstracted data from the Duke University Health System electronic health record (EHR), identifying 6208 children with asthma betwe

SUBMITTER: He J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7599107 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature