The environmental health of Latino children.
Representing 1 in 6 children in the United States, Latino children incur disproportionate exposures to air pollutants, pesticides, and toxic industrial chemicals, as well as lead and mercury from candy, traditional folk remedies, religious practices, and other sources. Latino children also have higher rates of asthma, lead and mercury poisoning, behavioral and developmental disorders, and certain cancers. Concurrent exposure to multiple pollutants, pre-existing disease, poor nutrition, substandard housing, limited access to health care, and other factors related to their lower socioeconomic status increase Latino children's susceptibility to environmental contaminants. Targeted research, education, prevention and intervention efforts, and economic development initiatives are needed.
Carter-Pokras
Olivia
O
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
Zambrana
Ruth E
RE
Poppell
Carolyn F
CF
Logie
Laura A
LA
Guerrero-Preston
Rafael
R
D001249:Asthma / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004782:Environmental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000208:ethnology; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000208:ethnology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology