Asthma and the Environment

Asthma is a common lung disease and a leading cause of hospitalizations for children under 15 years old. This report provides a summary of asthma indicators by neighborhood. It also describes housing and neighborhood characteristics that can make asthma worse.

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Adults with asthma (past 12 months)

Asthma is a common disease characterized by breathing difficulty. Poor air quality and housing issues increase risk of developing and triggering asthma.

Secondhand smoke at home

Adults reporting secondhand smoke at home. Secondhand smoke, especially indoors, is bad for health - particularly for the health of children.

Homes with cracks or holes

Cracks or holes are a maintenance deficiency linked to the presence of mice, rats, and cockroaches - which can harm residents' health.

Homes with leaks

Leaks are a maintenance deficiency that can harm health by introducing mold, which can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma.

Neighborhood poverty

The percent of households with incomes below the federal poverty level. Households without sufficient resources are often deprived of access to items such as health care and good quality housing that are needed to maintain good health.

Homes with cockroaches

The presence of cockroaches in the home is often associated with poor housing maintenance. Cockroaches in the home can contaminate food and worsen asthma.

No smoke-free home policy

Adults without a smoke-free home policy. A smoke-free home policy can limit people's exposure to secondhand smoke, which is especially dangerous to children.

Fine particles (PM 2.5)

Fine particles are emitted by vehicles, building boilers, and other combustion - and are a major form of air pollution that harms health.

Ozone (O3)

Ozone is a common air pollutant that can harm breathing and worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Adults reporting mice or rats inside

Mice and rats are a source of household allergens connected to developing or worsening asthma.

Asthma emergency department visits due to PM2.5

PM2.5 can cause asthma ED visits, which represent part of the health burden of fine particle air pollution.

Asthma emergency departments visits due to Ozone

Ozone can cause asthma ED visits, which are part of the health burden of air pollution.

Asthma hospitalizations due to Ozone

Ozone can cause hospitalizations for asthma, which are part of the health burden of air pollution.

Health insurance (adults)

Health insurance coverage is associated with numerous beneficial health effects. Those with health insurance are more likely to have a regular doctor, receive preventive care services, better manage chronic health conditions, have longer life expectancy, and more.

Asthma in public school children (age 5 to 14)

Asthma is a common disease characterized by breathing difficulty. Poor air quality and housing issues increase risk of developing and triggering asthma.

Asthma emergency department visits (age 5 to 17)

Severe asthma attacks can result in a visit to the ED. Things like smoke, air pollution, dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pollen and pet dander can trigger asthma.

Asthma emergency department visits (adults)

Severe asthma attacks can result in a visit to the ED. Things like smoke, air pollution, dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pollen and pet dander can trigger asthma.

Asthma hospitalizations (age 5 to 17)

Asthma hospitalizations are more severe asthma outcomes. They're often clustered in high-poverty neighborhoods, where disinvestment and poor housing conditions expose residents to triggers.

Asthma hospitalizations (adults)

Asthma hospitalizations are more severe asthma outcomes. They're often clustered in high-poverty neighborhoods, where disinvestment and poor housing conditions expose residents to triggers.

Renter-occupied homes with any health-related maintenance problems

Homes with maintenance deficiencies can threaten the health of the people who live there.