Methodological lessons and pilot data on the effect of proximity of homes and schools to highways on pediatric asthma and lung function.

Purpose: Numerous studies have found that either living or attending school near highways or exposure to pollutants associated with heavy motor vehicle traffic are associated with a high prevalence of asthma and reduced lung function. Yet, few investigations have assessed school and home exposure in the same study.

Methods: We recruited children aged 5-19 years from a pediatric clinic in an urban center (Boston Chinatown) for many of whom housing and school were located immediately adjacent to two major highways.

Lessons for primary prevention of asthma: foreign-born children have less association of SES and pests with asthma diagnosis.

There are no proven interventions for primary prevention of asthma. As asthma prevalence varies globally, comparing asthma in native and foreign-born children might provide insights. We pooled data from five cross sectional asthma surveys (N = 962).