Tree-Lined Streets, Reduced Rates Of Childhood Asthma

Filed in archive Asthma on May 2, 2008

As suggested by a research published ahead of print in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, children who live in tree-lined streets have lower rates of asthma.


© Phillie Casablanca



The said finding was based on rates of asthma rates for the disease among 4 to 5 year olds, and hospital admissions for the disease among children up to 15, from 42 health service districts of New York City, USA.

US rates of childhood asthma soared 50% between 1980 and 2000, with particularly high rates in poor urban communities.

In New York City, asthma is the leading cause of admission to hospital among children under 15.

The medical data were then plotted against city data on the number of trees in each area, sources of pollution, racial and ethnic make-up, and population density. The City had an average of 613 street trees per square kilometre, and 9% of young children had asthma.

I agree, let's plant more and more trees. That would help the environment in general.

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