Hispanic environmental health: ambient and indoor air pollution.
Air pollution has serious deleterious effects on health and is a public health matter of the utmost importance. The National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO) believes that reducing exposure to air pollution is a priority issue for the Hispanic community because 80% of Hispanics (compared with 65% of non-Hispanic blacks and 57% of non-Hispanic whites) live in nonattainment areas--areas that fail to meet the Environmental Protection Agency ambient air quality standard. Although Hispanics in general live as long as or longer than non-Hispanic whites, what morbidity data are available reveal that the quality of that life is severely impaired by a variety of chronic conditions, such as asthma. This makes environmental health a pressing matter for Hispanic communities, particularly in the area of air pollution. Action items are included.
COSSMHO, Washington, DC 20036, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004782:Environmental Health; D006292:Health Priorities; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D011634:Public Health; D014481:United States; D014484:United States Environmental Protection Agency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence