Tree cover, health care access, Sociome Data Commons, and pediatric
asthma: Chicago, 2010-2019
Abstract
Background Pediatric asthma exacerbations remain a critical
public health concern, particularly in historically underserved urban
settings. In Chicago, non-Hispanic Black children 5-19 years old had 2.5
times the emergency visits for asthma as non-Hispanic White children.
Objective This study investigates sociome factors – the social
context of disease – associated with asthma exacerbations among
children living in Chicago’s South Side, leveraging clinical and census
tract-level datasets. The aim is to uncover novel influences for
potential new interventions. Methods A generalized linear model
assessed associations while accounting for clustering at the patient
level. Results Predictors of decreased risk included patient
age (+4.8 years, -22%), tree crown density (+6% coverage, -17%),
parks per acre (+0.41, -8%), and labor market engagement (+0.8 points,
-9%). Conversely, predictors or increased risk included increased
distance to the nearest pharmacy (+0.28 miles, +12%), limited English
skills (+2.3%, +10%), higher inequality (+0.08 points, +8%), and
visits in the Spring (+11%) and Fall (+20%). Conclusion The
results suggest that tree crown density, a novel finding in the context
of asthma exacerbations, may play a protective role. Limited access to
health care facilities such as pharmacies continues to complicate care.
However, the complexity of neighborhood-level influences require broader
geographic sampling; limitations include the study’s restricted
geographic and demographic scope. Integrating data from multiple
hospitals will be essential for replicating these findings and
translating them into actionable strategies for improving pediatric
asthma care.