In the latest edition of Insights Insider, Worcester Regional Research Bureau, in partnership with Greater Worcester Community Foundation, examine the prevalence of asthma in children as a key community health indicator. In Massachusetts, schools collect data on whether children in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade have asthma. Worcester County Insights includes this data for all communities in Worcester County, including the number of total children as well as the prevalence of asthma—i.e., the number of children with asthma out of every 100. It should be noted that differing environmental, demographic, and economic factors across geographies can play an important role in the presence of asthma among children.
Because asthma does not exist in a vacuum, this Insider is really only a start to understanding its effects and while an important health indicator, it is only one among many determinants of health that researchers study. Worcester County Insights includes many indicators that can help provide a fuller picture of the health of our communities. Examples include children with elevated blood lead levels, diabetes incidence among adults, cancer incidence, infant mortality, and other health indicators can be found as well at click here.
DOWNLOAD INSIGHTS INSIDER – COMMUNITY HEALTH: ASTHMA