(November 20, 2003) — To fight asthma in San Diego's Mid-City area, residents believe that cleaning up trash and getting rid of rats, roaches, and vermin is the first battle – one that will be carried on this weekend. This past spring, 412 families in the Mid-City area were surveyed to learn their opinions about asthma-related issues. They indicated that the asthma triggers that concerned them most were related to uncollected trash in the community.
The San Diego Regional Asthma Coalition chose to survey the Mid-City region because of the high rate of childhood asthma found there. The hospitalization rate for asthma in Mid-City is almost three times the San Diego County average. Mid-City also has a high number of asthma emergency room visits and 911 emergency calls. The survey of this culturally diverse community found a high incidence of asthma: nearly 20% of the households in the survey have at least one person with asthma.
The survey is part of the anti-asthma work of the Mid-City Community Action to fight Asthma (CAFA) initiative, a project of the San Diego Regional Asthma Coalition. The Mid-City CAFA Initiative is funded by The California Endowment.
Like many high-density inner-city areas, Mid-City struggles with issues related to trash, illegal dumping and subsequent problems with pests. Additionally, it is the home of the former Chollas Landfill. Members of the community identified trash and air quality as their top environmental priorities followed by pests (rates, roaches and vermin). "Roaches and pests that feed on uncollected trash can make asthma worse for children and adults," said Dr. Michael Welch of the Asthma and Allergy Medical Group.
According to the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, indoor environmental pollutants play a critical role in the development and exacerbation of asthma. Exposure to secondhand smoke, dust mites, pet dander, molds and cockroaches can trigger asthma attacks and lead to asthma in children who are predisposed to the disease.
In August, CAFA brought together more than 150 people for a community clean-up of streets, alleys, and parks. As part of the CAFA initiative, the Mid-City Community Advocacy Network has formed neighborhood teams that are helping residents, homeowners and landlords to use integrated pest management strategies that are healthier for the community.
The San Diego Regional Asthma Coalition has published a free Resource Directory for Consumers, identifying resources to assist families with asthma management. The Directory includes programs for different age groups and lists specific asthma services and is available online
The San Diego Regional Asthma Coalition is a collaborative of more than 50 diverse agencies and individuals providing leadership to identify, develop, mobilize and coordinate resources to prevent asthma and positively impact the lives of those who are affected by it. CAFA is part of a statewide strategic initiative funded by The California Endowment with the goal of reducing environmental asthma triggers through public education and policies that promote "asthma friendly" environments where children live, learn and play. In San Diego, CAFA's goal is to empower the Mid-City community to make their neighborhood healthier and safer.
The American Lung Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties, celebrating 100 years in 2004, led the development of the San Diego Regional Asthma Coalition in 1999, bringing together agencies that work in asthma prevention and treatment, disease management, provider and family education, research, environmental justice, and school health.
