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Assessing lung function and respiratory health in schoolchildren as a means to improve local environmental conditions

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Abstract

In response to the World Health Organization Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE), a town near Vienna initiated a health survey of schoolchildren. To create recommendations for the community's decision makers, the health survey tried to identify the environmental factors influencing the respiratory health of children. The survey consisted of a questionnaire and spirometry. For 186 of 207 children of first and second grade, parents consented to include their children and answered a questionnaire. Spirometry was performed in 177 children. Results of lung function testing revealed that lung function was significantly reduced in children with visible mould infestation at home and living on a street with frequent lorry traffic. Larger family size and living in a rural area had positive effects on lung function. Our study provides an example for a feasible strategy to provide local decision makers with recommendations based on scientific evidence and actual observations and to help them implement measures in accordance with CEHAPE.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the City of Schwechat. Especially the assistance of Mrs. Brigitte Piegler is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, Vienna, A-1095, Austria

    Hans-Peter Hutter, Hanns Moshammer & Michael Kundi

  2. Institute of Social Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Austria

    Livia Borsoi

  3. Member of the Expert Group on Medicine and Environmental Protection, Austria

    Peter Wallner

Authors
  1. Hans-Peter Hutter
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  2. Livia Borsoi
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  3. Peter Wallner
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  4. Hanns Moshammer
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  5. Michael Kundi
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Additional information

An Austrian town near Vienna conducted a health survey of its children, linking the results to environmental factors that may influence respiratory health. Lung function was significantly reduced in children living in homes infested with mold and located on a street with heavy truck traffic. These results can help policymakers respond to the WHO Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe.

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Hutter, HP., Borsoi, L., Wallner, P. et al. Assessing lung function and respiratory health in schoolchildren as a means to improve local environmental conditions. J Public Health Pol 30, 144–157 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2009.5

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