In a survey made by the Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia-Pacific in 2005, it was found out that in eight major urban centers in the Asia-Pacific, the Philippines had the highest incidence of work absence due to asthma with a percentage of 46.6. If it affects adults in that severity, then it follows that the effects to children are even worse.

In a recent article entitled “Children with asthma have more emotional problems,” it was revealed that many children with asthma experience behavioral and developmental problems. The article was based on a study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, which collected data from a national health survey in the United States.

The good news is that there are people doing something to intensify research on child asthma. Watch this video:

On May 5, Saturday, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand will have an Asthma Balloon Day to raise funds for child asthma research. They will be having various activities across NZ all dedicated to widen the knowledge base on child asthma. To know more about this initiative, visit the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Website.

NZ’s move is a laudable one. I hope that the Philippine society will have the same drive to make a difference for asthmatic children. Air maintains life and gives nourishment. If the air that children breathe is polluted, then what nourishment does it give them? I’d classify that as junk food.

I hope that we can make solid steps to combat the primary cause of asthma in children - air pollution - to create livable communities, and the larger picture is a generation of healthy and bright Filipino kids.