A New York study revealing that children who live in tree-lined streets have lower rates of asthma provides interesting insight into the disease, says the British Lung Foundation.
Columbia University researchers found that asthma rates among children aged four and five fell by 25% for every extra 343 trees per square kilometre.
“This innovative study shows the positive links between childhood asthma and the environment and provides an interesting insight into the potential health benefits of a leafy suburban lifestyle,” says Professor Warren Lenney, British Lung Foundation spokesperson.
“However the explanation behind the findings is unclear and it is very difficult to prove that one single factor is the trigger. We would welcome more studies into this previously unexplored area of research.”
The researchers put together data on the location of street trees in New York and data on children’s health. The children in the greenest streets were least likely to develop asthma, although the degree of leafiness was not correlated with the number of hospital admissions for severe asthma attacks.
For more information about childhood asthma please click here
For press enquiries please contact Katherine Huntly on 020 7688 5588
