Asthma rESEARCH

The BREATHE Center was originally established as the Center for Childhood Asthma in the Urban Environment in 1998. This Center is one of the original NIEHS and EPA funded Children’s Centers and has focused on childhood asthma and respiratory disease for over twenty years. The Center has have made significant contributions to defining environmental risk factors and developing interventions to reduce risk. Studies have demonstrated that indoor air pollution is a driver of childhood asthma in Baltimore City and identified strategies to reduce air pollution exposures for the sake of improving health. Our work has also demonstrated that mouse allergen exposure is linked to increased asthma emergency visits and hospitalizations among those who are sensitized.  We have identified overweight and obesity as susceptibility factors for the adverse effects of air pollution. Center studies have also demonstrated that dietary intake of fatty acid likely modifies pollution susceptibility- omega 6 intake with a potentially harmful and omega 3 intake with a protective effect. We have extended our work to focus on children and adults, to include home and school environments, and to define practical interventions to address environmental health disparities. We continue to work to reduce the burden in asthma in our community and similar communities across the country.

Interested in Participating in Asthma Research Studies?