Recipients

Rural dwellers and Aboriginal persons comprise two understudied populations with regard to asthma. Dr. Joshua Lawson plans to study the differences between rural and urban residents, and between people of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal ancestry. He will also look at possible determinants of asthma, including obesity, health behaviours and environmental exposures. Health behaviours cover things like diet and range of physical activity. Environmental exposures include irritants like tobacco smoke and home mold.

Dr. Lawson will study a cross-section of students in grades one to four living in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The first phase of the study will be conducted by questionnaire, while the second phase will be clinical and include lung function testing, anthropometric measures and skin prick testing for allergy.

Investigation of asthma prevalence and severity and their determinants among this population will help establish the level of disease and burden in the north-central Saskatchewan region. The information will aid in building the scientific knowledge to help alleviate the symptoms and perhaps prevent asthma.

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