Hello Cameron,

Air quality is very important for healthy living within any community. The pediatric asthma

record in your area is quite unfortunate. However, this cannot be solely due to the variation of

air. Other factors also play a role, such as emotions, flu and cold, allergens, dust mites, exercise,

some medications, and some food preservatives called sulphites (WebMD, 2021). However,

programs, for example, the one existent in your neighbourhood, can be very important in

managing such respiratory illnesses. A collaborative effort is the only way I can think of to help

individuals at the community level. This constitutes collaborations between health professionals,

school nurses, health insurers, and community help programs, such as the NYS Healthy

Neighborhood Program you mentioned. If this happens, then I am sure chronic pediatric

respiratory illnesses will be managed. Another way that they can be managed would include

offering training to community members on how to help people who get asthma attacks.

According to EPA (2020), asthma is a life-threatening disease that community members should

be highly cautious about.

 References

EPA. (2020, July 13). Asthma - Improving health in communities and schools | US EPA. US

Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/asthma/asthma-improving-

health-communities-and-schools

WebMD. (2021, February 12). Asthma. https://www.webmd.com/asthma/what-is-asthma