Less asthma among kids – just one more reason to hug trees

A new release from HealthDay News relates that young children who live on tree lined streets, or technically in neighborhoods with plenty of trees, have lower rates of asthma than children who live among fewer trees.

In New York City, asthma is the leading reason for hospital admissions among the 15 year old and younger set. Research looked at where these children live, and were able to directly correlate less trees in the immediate environment with more asthma admissions. This research held up even after factoring in sources of pollution, socioeconomic status and population density.

Researchers note that tree density itself may not be entirely related, it may also have to do with the fact that children in tree heavy neighborhoods may play outside more often or the trees may improve air quality. Obviously more research is needed, but it’s a cool study all the same. It gives us yet another good reason to plant trees, and to encourage outdoor play.

The study was published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

[photo via Jennifer Chait's fuzzy neighborhood park series]