Feasibility and Perceptions of Cell Phone-Based, Health-Related Communication With Adolescents in an Economically Depressed Area.

We examined the feasibility and perception of cell-based (texting, voicemail [VM], and email/social media), health-related communication with adolescents in Genesee County, MI, where 22% reside below the poverty level. Results of an anonymous survey found that 86% of respondents owned a cell phone, 87% had data, 96% texted, 90.5% emailed/used social media, and 68% had VM.

The relationship between asthma and overweight in urban minority children.

Background: This study was performed to determine the relationship between overweight [body mass index (BMI) > or = 85th percentile] and asthma as determined by spirometry.

Method: Spirometry was performed according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines, and BMI was calculated. Asthma was defined as a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <80% predicted and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) >5% lower than predicted for age and sex.