rict the passage of air. The mechanism of this response has been well understood for decades, and an albuterol inhaler and intravenous magnesium solutions can alleviate the symptoms. Although there is dissention in the ranks of researchers over what the primary causes of asthma actually are, most scientists agree that it is a pathology with many different aggravating factors. Research has suggested that asthma hospitalizations show a direct correlation, with high levels of industrial pollutants, and vehicle exhaust. A study conducted in Tehran, Iran, where there are no emissions standards, showed a 16 percent increase of asthma hospitalizations, and a 10% higher level of retarded pulmonary growth verses rural Iranian communities. This study also measured specific levels of industrial pollutant by-products, and showed a correlation between asthma and high levels of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Evidence has also been collected which shows links between maternal smoking during pregnancy, and smoking in general. Dust mites and cockroach feces have been listed as aggravating factors, as well as lead based paints. Children with low levels of physical activity show a decrease in pulmonary lung function and are at a higher risk of developing asthma. A recent paper has even found a genetic link for asthma: children of asthmatics are three to six times more likely to develop asthma than children of non-asthmatics.Among all of these frightening statistics it seems that nothing is being done to help contain the asthma epidemic. Although asthma hospitalization rates continue to climb, there are some grassroots urban health initiatives designed to help treat asthma. Among the most successful of these is the Asthma Passport Program (APP) conducted at Montefiore Medical center in New York City (the hospital that serves the Mott Haven neighborhood). In the APP, communication between primary care ph...
