Asthma Among African-American Kids & What Moms Can Do

Moderator: Renee Ross, BlogHer.com Health Editor, and Blogger at Cutie Booty Cakes

With Dr. Sande Okelo, assistant professor of pulmonary medicine at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, and Vernice Miller-Travis, vice president of the Maryland State Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities

Study after study has shown that airborne particulate pollution has sent asthma rates soaring among Latino and African American children. The smokestacks of coal-powered electric plants are spewing their poisons over poorer neighborhoods, and many power plants stand in the shadow of school buildings and playgrounds where children spend their days. Particulate pollution triggers and aggravates asthma. Now, a new study by Dr. Sande Okelo of Johns Hopkins indicates that "African-American patients are suffering longer from poorly controlled asthma than their Caucasian counterparts before being seen by an asthma specialist." This blog radio discussion will look at the connection between coal pollution and asthma, the connection between asthma and race, and differences in health care given to suffering children.

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