The Effect of Tree Cover and Vegetation On Incidence of Childhood Asthma In Regions of Texas

Childhood asthma is the most common chronic disease in children. Increases in the number of cases occurring in industrialized countries are directly linked to many factors including air pollution.  Although air pollution is not believed to be a direct cause of children developing asthma, there is growing concern that air pollution triggers symptoms in those who suffer from asthma, causing an increase in incidence and severity of asthma in children.  It is known that the leaves of trees can take up pollutants in the air such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and particles such as aerosols and dust.  The main objective for this study was to determine if childhood asthma rates in regions of Texas were related to vegetation and tree cover in city and county areas.  The state of Texas was broken down into 25 different Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) for the purposes of demographic and statistical analyses.  Children’s asthma data was collected from the Center for Health Statistics and the Texas Department of State Health Services for the years 2001-2006.  Of the 25 MSAs, data on childhood asthma rates were available for 14.  The asthma rates for each MSA was mapped and inserted into a corresponding vegetation map for each MSA using a geographical mapping software.  Researchers looked for visual relationships among data.  Quantitative data was also analyzed using SPSS.  The study compared vegetation rates and asthma rates in metropolitan areas to observe whether vegetation and tree cover led to higher or lower incidences of childhood asthma rates.  Results will be used to evaluate the value of green spaces and the urban forest in city areas.