Principal Investigator:
Emily Croce, PhD, MSN, ADPRN, NPNP-CP
The University of Texas at Austin
Overview:
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic childhood skin disease and there are significant and persistent racial and ethnic disparities in atopic dermatitis (AD) among children in the United States (US). A variety of contextual factors such as allergen exposure, psychosocial stress, decreased access to healthcare, and others, have been implicated as causes or exacerbators of AD. Several lines of evidence suggest that outdoor air pollution (OAP) may play a significant role in AD risk and AD disparities. Many of children with AD will develop asthma, the most common
chronic non-skin related disease in childhood, which is also linked to OAP exposure. Both of these conditions lead to substantial negative impacts on quality of life and place children at risk for other medical and psychological complications. However, they are rarely studied together in spite of their common co-occurrence and shared risk factors.
This study aims to understand the impact of outdoor airborne pollution on AD prevalence, severity, and persistence and comorbid AD+asthma. Further, the study will advance our understanding of the contribution of outdoor air pollution to racial and ethnic AD disparities and AD+asthma disparities. It has significant implications for 3 of the 4 NEA research priorities: eczema heterogeneity, understanding & alleviating disease burden, and eczema prevention – while simultaneously supporting NEA’s and PeDRA’s commitment to advancing equity. Results will lead to interventions directly aimed at reducing AD burden and racial and ethnic AD disparities.
Status:
This study was funded through the 2022 Childhood Eczema Challenge Grant.