Detroit has been named the third worst city in America for asthma sufferers, according to the latest Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's report. Moving down from being the top asthma capital in 2022 and fifth in 2023, the city shows a troubling trend in health and environmental issues. As WWJ Newsradio 950 reports, experts believe that the combination of climate change, pollution, and residual pollution from Canadian wildfires has exacerbated the situation.
Dr. Garen Wolff, a DMC asthma expert stated, "among other things, hotter temperatures contribute to asthma attacks due to a higher amount of pollen in the air," and stressing the city's infrastructure's impact on air quality—many schools located near highways and the presence of heavy industrial pollution. In an interview obtained by WWJ Newsradio 950, Wolff added that socioeconomic factors make the situation worse, as the cost of inhalers can put a strain on financially struggling families.
The Detroit News further reports that asthma in Detroit is tightly linked to socioeconomics. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation notes that those living below the poverty level are more likely to suffer from asthma. The Foundation's study also underlines racial disparities, with Black Americans diagnosed with asthma at a higher rate than White populations. Access to healthcare and necessary medications compounds the difficulty, as high uninsured rates continue to hamper residents' ability to receive proper treatment and management for their conditions.
Residents have noticed the impact of living in a city with significant air quality issues. Liz Jacob, an environmental justice lawyer, told BridgeDetroit, she developed asthma within a year of moving to Detroit, attributing it to the city's pollution. The report underscores the role that various sources of pollution play in asthma exacerbation, including industrial emissions and highway proximity that, combined, have driven many Detroit residents to alter their lifestyles in hopes of mitigating the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
A proactive approach is underway to address the air quality and asthma crisis in Detroit. Programs like the Health Equity Advancement and Leadership initiative have received funding to provide community-based support, from connecting with specialists to offering asthma-friendly products. Moreover, Wayne County has initiated the Community Air Quality Project, which involves deploying air quality monitors to collect data that may fuel future clean air standards. Despite these initiatives, as Darren Riley, founder of Just Air, pointed out in an interview with BridgeDetroit, the necessity remains to reduce risks, close health disparities, and aim to remove Detroit from such dire rankings in the future.
