Asthma among homeless children in New York City: an update

Am J Public Health. 2007 Mar;97(3):448-50. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.070482. Epub 2007 Jan 31.

Abstract

Homeless children in New York City had an extremely high asthma prevalence-40%-in a cross-sectional study at 3 shelters (n=740) during 1998 to 1999. We used the same protocol to summarize subsequent data through December 2002. Asthma prevalence was 33% (n=1636); only 15% of the children previously diagnosed were taking an asthma controller medication. Emergency department use was 59%. These data were used to support a class action lawsuit that was resolved in favor of homeless children with asthma in New York City.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Child
  • Child Health Services / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Child Welfare / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Child Welfare / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Education
  • Health Services Research
  • Health Surveys
  • Homeless Youth / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Homeless Youth / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / standards
  • Medical Assistance
  • New York City / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Public Facilities / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Public Facilities / standards
  • Urban Health / statistics & numerical data*