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Asthma: Is It the City?
The prevalence of asthma is
increasing worldwide. This increase is, however, most dramatic in
developed countries, such as Canada, USA, the United Kingdom, and
Australia. In these countries, more than 15% of children have been
diagnosed with asthma and more than one third have other allergic
diseases. In Hamilton, the most recent information suggests that
17% of school aged children have asthma, and this is higher than
some other parts of Canada.
The striking increases in developed
countries had caused speculation that exposure of infants and young
children to atmospheric pollutants is a major cause of asthma and
allergies. This presentation will focus on the evidence that industrialization
and atmospheric pollution is an important cause of asthma, and also
evaluate the importance of allergens, and other factors, in the
home environment in causing these diseases.
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Paul O’Byrne is the EJ Moran Campbell Professor in
Respirology Medicine and Chair, Department of Medicine at
McMaster University. Dr. O’Byrne is also the Executive
Director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health,
St. Joseph’s Healthcare. His current research interests
are: the pathogenesis and treatment of asthma, with particular
interest in the mechanisms involved in allergic asthma, including
cell recruitment and activation, the inflammatory and bronchoconstrictor
mediators released from the inflammatory cells, including
eicosanoids and cytokines, the structural consequences of
the persisting inflammation in asthma, and the efficacy and
mechanisms of action of anti-asthma drugs.
Dr.
Paul O'Byrne's web page
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