Integrating geospatial data with birth cohorts to explore social determinants of health and asthma.

Abstract

Place-based measures of environmental exposures, climate, neighborhood characteristics, housing, and other social determinants of health are powerful predictors of health outcomes, including asthma. In addition, social determinants of health are likely causes of the persistent racial and ethnic disparities in asthma prevalence and morbidity. The objectives of this commentary are to (1) provide an overview of geospatial data and resources available to researchers to incorporate into studies of asthma-related outcomes, (2) provide a general approach to consider geospatial data in birth cohorts, (3) demonstrate the use of geospatial data in asthma-related research, and (4) highlight challenges and future opportunities for the use of geospatial data in asthma-related research and birth cohort studies. By integrating place-based data into longitudinal studies, researchers may identify critical drivers of asthma and asthma-related disparities and develop strategies to mitigate their impact.