In the June issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, an article entitled, “The Protective Effect of Community Factors on Childhood Asthma”, research conducted by Dr. Ruchi S. Gupta of Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago found that childhood asthma is less common in neighborhoods with high economic potential and strong community vitality. Findings also suggest that neighborhoods with low asthma prevalence had higher scores on the Community Vitality Index, which combines ratings for social capital, economic potential and community amenities.

A research abstract can be found at: //www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(09)00549-1/abstract.