Asthma among homeless children in New York City: an update.
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.
Grant
Roy
R
The Children's Health Fund, New York, NY 10027, USA. rgrant@chfund.org
Bowen
Shawn
S
McLean
Diane E
DE
Berman
Douglas
D
Redlener
Karen
K
Redlener
Irwin
I
D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006266:Health Education; D006302:Health Services Research; D006306:Health Surveys; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards; D008483:Medical Assistance; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011633:Public Facilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*