Asthma in the South Bronx By Megha Duggal

The Facts- South Bronx ¡ The South Bronx, in New York City, is the poorest congressional district with in the United States. ¡ It also has one of the highest rates of asthma in the United States. ¡ The government places unhealthy conditions right by the South Bronx.

Asthma ¡ Asthma is a chronic disease that involves the respiratory system. ¡ Symptoms include- shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest pain or tightness. ¡ Genetic factors and environmental exposures are both thought to play a role in asthma development. ¡ Recent increase in asthma incidences have occurred too rapidly to be the result of genetic changes.

New York City's Waste ¡ The South Bronx’s waste stations receive more than 50% of the city's commercial waste and 30% of its overall garbage is transfer to these stations. ¡ Studies revealed that there was a high level of contamination in the air quality in the South Bronx. ¡ People who lived in communities with stationed incinerators have been found to be more likely to have sinus troubles, a chronic cough, and three or more episodes of wheezing in the past year.

Diesel Trucks Schools like South Bronx's Hunts Point district, are located right ¡ by the highways where these diesel truck drive through on a daily bases. ¡ A recent city survey of asthma in the South Bronx's Hunts Point district, found an asthma prevalence rate in elementary school up to 21 percent to 23 percent. ¡ Almost one-fifth of all pre-K to 8 th-grade students in the South Bronx are attending schools that are within less than two blocks of one of the major highways such as Interstates 95, 87, 278 and 895…

Poor Housing Conditions ¡ In 2000 the U. S. Census data showed that Manhattan has about 120, 000 more occupied housing units, so the average occupancy per housing unit in the Bronx study area is almost twice that in the Manhattan area. ¡ Residential buildings in impoverish areas are more likely to be infested with cockroaches, rats or mice, and mold.

Change for a Better Future ¡ The South Bronx historically has been used by the government to help the wealthier communities around New York function. ¡ These impoverished areas obviously need more funding in order for the community to be kept safe and nice for the people. ¡ Till there have been significant changes to improve the area of the South Bronx, people will continually have health problems issues in the area