Asthma Case Study

According to Child trends, “In 2015, 11 percent of children in poor families had asthma, compared with 9 percent of children in families that were near-poor, and 7 percent of children in families that had incomes of at least twice the federal poverty level. The factors that have been linked to an increased risk for asthma are low birth weight, exposure to antibiotics during the first year of life, use of acetaminophen, being overweight, exposure to community violence, having a parent with major depression, maternal exposure to intimate partner violence, and maternal exposure to high levels of magnetic fields. Additionally, many studies have linked exposure to air pollution and secondhand smoke to asthma incidence in children. None of these,

however, has been identified as a proven cause” (Child trends. 2016).

The primary schools in Gary, Indiana are as follows: Benjamin Benneker, Bailly Preparatory Academy, Daniel Hailey Williams Elementary School, Jacques Marquette Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Glen Park Academy for Excellence in learning, Frankie Woods McCullough Academy for Girls, Dr. Bernard C. Watson Academy for Boys, Beveridge Elementary School.

The secondary schools in Gary, Indiana are as follows: West Side Leadership Academy, Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Arts High Ability Academy, New Tech Innovative Institute at Gary Area Career Center, Williams Annex. Other programs that are included are Lincoln Program Mission, The Gary Area Career and Bethune Early Childhood Development Center. Children of the age of 3 years old and older are in enrolled in these schools. The population of school aged children is 20,856. 87.8% of children attend public schools and 12.2% of children attend private school. With this being said, 21 schools have been closed down and abandoned due to lack of financial resources and building decay. This portrays the neighborhood as being outdated and deteriorating academically.

Since some public schools and private schools are near the U.S Steel Gary Works, Children are greatly affected by breathing in the chemicals from the steel mill that is near by. Children that live near higher levels of air pollution can be affected by not only by respiratory distress but their performance in school can be disturbed. The air pollution in cities such as Gary, Indiana are known to make people sick, which can lead to poor performances in grades. Furthermore, being sick can lead to poor self confidence. It is said to be true that air toxins could negatively affect a child's neurological and brain development (IANS, 2015).

According to the Indiana census of 2010, “12.9% of residents in Gary who are below the age of 65 and living with a disability” (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). This statistic shows that there are several people in that community living with a disability and one would hope that they are given equal care in their community. This could be done by providing wheelchair accessible ramps and crosswalks with noise signals for blind people so that they can safely cross the street. From being in the community there are several wheelchair accessible ramps leading into the buildings. However, there are not any crosswalks with noise signals for blind people. The pavement is also cracked very badly in some areas of busy streets which could make walking difficult for people who need special assistance.

When observing the community from the perspective of a car, there were several people out and about walking around. The people were all walking on the sidewalks and using the crosswalks shows that people abide by the pedestrian rules. There are plenty of street lights that help provide sufficient light to streets and sidewalks. Another statistic according to the Indiana census is that “21% of residents under the age of 65 are without health insurance compared to the state of Indiana which has 11.2% of residents under the age of 65 without health insurance” (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). There are two hospitals in Gary; Methodist North Lake Hospital and Methodist Physician Group Hospital which is a branch of Methodist. Along with those hospitals there are thirty health clinics which range from specialty services such as vision clinics to planned parenthood.

Gary’s mortality rate is interesting because homicides largely make up the causes of death for Gary residents.

According to The Northwest Times, “In 2013, Gary’s homicide rate was 53 per capita (53 per 100,000 residents) died by homicide” (NWI, 2013). The reason for this high number is largely due to gang retaliatory violence in the community. According to the University of Southern California’s Center for Health Journalism, the infant mortality rate as of 2016 in Gary is “8.5 infants per every 1,000 live births.” (UShC Annenburg, 2016). Infant mortality rates are largely due to the health conditions of the pregnant mothers which is why prenatal visits are so important for mothers to ensure the health of not only themselves, but the health of their fetus. There are clinics and a planned parenthood located in Gary that are available for families to use. Out of the thirty clinics in Gary, there is one for physical therapy, dentistry, mental health, family counseling and a wellness center. It appears that the resources are there for people to take advantage of if they choose to use them. Being able to have a community that ensures the health of infants is crucial for a society to thrive. However, in this population, infants’ health is largely affected by the amount of air pollution. With the surrounding steel mills and factories, the residents of Gary have no choice, but to breathe in the

pollution.