Background

Asthma is a chronic lung disorder of enormous public health importance that affects 10 to 12% of the population and disproportionately affects children, minorities, and persons of lower socioeconomic status.

It is the most frequent cause of pediatric emergency room use and hospital admission and is the leading cause of school absences.

The economic costs of asthma are estimated at more than $12 billion/year.

Despite improvements in diagnosis and management, and an increased understanding of the epidemiology, immunology, and biology of the disease, asthma prevalence, morbidity, and mortality have progressively increased over the past 15 years.

In response to the increased prevalence of asthma, NIEHS has developed several research programs. Click on the headings or subheadings below to go to a detailed description of the program.

• Secondary Prevention:

  • The Inner-City Asthma Study

• Risk Assessment:

  • Exposure to Indoor Allergens in Day Care Facilities(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/riskassess/daycare.cfm)
  • National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/riskassess/nhanes.cfm)
  • The National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing (NSLAH)(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/riskassess/nslah.cfm)

• Environmental Interventions:

  • The Cockroach Allergen Intervention Studies(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/interventions/cockroach.cfm)
  • Healthy Homes, Healthy Lives Study(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/interventions/homes.cfm)
  • VOLUNTEERS NEEDED > > > > Dust Mite Reduction Study < < < <
  • Systems for Lowering and Monitoring Humidity in Homes(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/interventions/humidity.cfm)

• New methodologies for assessing allergen exposures:

  • Subject-Collected Dust Sampling Study(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/newmethod/dust.cfm)
  • Development of a Multiplex Assay for Indoor Allergens(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/newmethod/multiplex.cfm)
  • Comparison of Assays for Alternaria Alternata(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/newmethod/alternaria.cfm)
  • Proficiency of Allergen Testing(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/newmethod/elisa.cfm)

• Pathogenesis & Mechanisms:

  • The Respiratory Biology Program(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/mechanisms.cf)

• Asthma Genetics:

  • The Environmental Genome Project(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/genetics.cfm)

• Centers for Children's Environmental Health & Disease Prevention Research

  (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/centers/prevention/index.cfm)

• Community-Based Participatory Research

  (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/programs/justice/index.cfm)

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