Pollens, yes. Dust yes. Cigarette smoke, yes. Pets, perhaps. Just in the previous entry, I've noted how air pollutants related to street traffic can contribute to asthma risks. All these make sense. But violence? What's the connection of exposure to violence relate to asthma?

Preliminary results from on-going studies suggest that the stress caused by environmental exposure to violence is significantly linked to both poorer lung function in children and asthma exacerbations. There is some speculation about plausible stress mechanisms that might be responsible for this.

Read the full discussion in Breath Spa for Kids.

Found via this week's Medical Grand Rounds.