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A young child with asthma has a greater risk of obesity than one without the chronic respiratory condition, a new study suggests. The study only found an association between asthma and obesity, not a direct cause-and-effect relationship. And it doesn't suggest that all kids with asthma will become obese. Asthma and obesity often occur together in children. It is unknown whether asthma contributes to the childhood obesity epidemic. The study aimed to investigate the effects of asthma and asthma medication use on the development of childhood obesity.

New RFA for 2018–2020 now available!

Closing Date: February 17, 2017 Request for Applications (RFA): “National Indoor Environments Program: Reducing Public Exposure to Indoor Pollutants”

U.S. EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Indoor Environments Division (IED) has posted a new RFA (EPA-OAR-ORIA-17-02) here, www.epa.gov/grants/air-grants-and-funding, and here, www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=290725.

EPA expects to make between 10 and 20 awards. The selected indoor environments projects will be funded in the amount of $2–4 million annually, for up to 3 years (2018–2020).

U.S. EPA Cooperative Agreements for the period 2018–2020

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OAR-ORIA-17-02

Closing Date: Friday, February 17, 2017, 4:00 p.m. EST

Currently, the Indoor Environments Program focuses on critical aspects of indoor air quality that pose significant risks to public health, particularly to children and other disproportionately affected segments of society. The Program’s priorities include, yet are not limited to (1) radon, (2) indoor environmental asthma triggers, and (3) multiple indoor air contaminants.

Examples of projects eligible for funding include those that result in (1) an increase in the number of homes and schools built with radon-reducing features, (2) an increase in the number of home visiting programs providing in-home asthma interventions by licensed providers in disproportionately affected communities, and (3) an increase in the number of homes, schools and office buildings with interventions that reduce exposure to multiple indoor air contaminants. To learn more about IED’s currently funded (2014–2017) cooperative agreements and partners, visit www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/cooperative-agreement-funding-indoor-air-quality. To learn more about healthy indoor environments and indoor air quality, visit www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq. Opt in here to receive periodic email updates about healthy indoor air.

A new report summarizes the AHIP National Asthma Leadership Roundtable, convened in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The report outlines the findings of a national assessment of health plan asthma care activities and describes health plan models that are pioneering the next generation of comprehensive asthma care. 

The report emphasizes that, through these programs and partnerships, health plans enhance access to culturally competent, linguistically appropriate asthma care services for their enrollees and help reduce disparities in asthma care and outcomes. 

The following are key takeaway points from the report: (1) effective asthma care includes both clinical treatment and environmental management; (2) home visits may help health plans improve quality of life for those with asthma and reduce asthma disparities; and (3) home-based assessments that reduce exposure to triggers are important elements of quality care. 

Leaders from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) participated in the Roundtable. The Roundtable also featured discussions with health plan representatives on developing sustainable environmental asthma management programs for culturally diverse populations.