Immigrant Respiratory Health: a Diverse Perspective in Environmental Influences on Respiratory Health

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2018 Mar 24;18(4):21. doi: 10.1007/s11882-018-0779-5.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The aim of this review is to examine the prevalence of and impact of environmental exposures in the workplace and home on immigrant respiratory health in the USA.

Recent findings: Few studies report levels of workplace and home environmental exposures for immigrant children and adults, and documenting these findings is an important first step to addressing their respiratory health concerns. Rates of respiratory disease are lowest upon first arrival and increase with duration of residency in the USA. Community Health Workers may be an efficacious intervention to reducing exposures and improving lung health among immigrant populations. Immigrant children and adults have a high risk of occupational and home environmental exposures that can negatively affect their respiratory health. While limited studies exist, more documentation of these exposures and their impact on immigrant person's respiratory health are needed to begin to tackle these disparities.

Keywords: Adult allergy; Allergen exposure; Allergy; Asthma; Immigrant allergy; Immigration and allergy; Occupational asthma; Pediatric allergy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Emigrants and Immigrants*
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Humans
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Prevalence
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases*