An intervention program designed to educate parents about allergens and tobacco smoke could help reduce symptoms of asthma in children say researchers .More than 900 children with asthma were studied. The children were allergic to at least one indoor environmental allergen and lived in low-income areas. Previous research shows children who live in these areas suffer from the disease at a disproportionately high rate.
Researchers designed an intervention program to educate the children’s parents about ways to reduce allergens and exposure to tobacco smoke. Parents of the children were also given special bedding and air purifiers to put in their homes.It was observed that children who participated in the intervention program had fewer asthma symptoms than those who did not. Children in the intervention group reported about 20-fewer days of symptoms in the first year than those who did not take part in the program. These same children reported about 15-fewer days of symptoms during the second year they participated in the program.
Researchers say this important research demonstrates that taking practical steps can achieve long-term benefits in the form of better quality of life, fewer emergency room visits, and lower health care costs.
