[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF THE URBAN ASTHMA REDUCTION ACT OF 1998

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 1998

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to join with several of my 
colleagues, to introduce The Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 1998.
  This bill takes an important step towards increasing the federal 
commitment to reducing the high rate of asthma-related illnesses and 
hospitalizations of inner city children who suffer from asthma and who 
also are allergic to cockroach allergen. In 1997, the National 
Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious 
Diseases) reported conclusively that asthmatic children who were both 
allergic to cockroaches, and exposed to high cockroach allergen levels, 
were hospitalized 3.3 times more often than children who were either 
only exposed or allergic.
  The link between asthma and allergy to cockroaches is a serious 
public health concern. In light of the NIH findings, there should be 
increased federal assistance to communities to address the problem.
  Asthma is on the rise, especially in inner cities. Last month, the 
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reported that more 
than 15 million Americans suffer from asthma--an increase of 75 percent 
between 1980 and 1994.
  Asthma is a growing concern for poor and minority communities, 
especially African American and Latinos. In 1993, among children and 
adults, African Americans were 3 to 4 times more likely than whites to 
be hospitalized for asthma. They were 4 to 6 times more likely to die 
from asthma.
  The social and economic costs are high. These children are more 
likely to miss school more often, go to the doctor or emergency room 
more frequently, and lose sleep. Consequently, the adults who care for 
these children may have to miss work to care for them. According to The 
Washington Post (April 24, 1998) the Centers for Disease Control 
reported that costs related to asthma were estimated to be $6.2 billion 
in 1990, and expected to more than double by the year 2000.
  The Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 1998 asks for action. The bill 
proposes to amend the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant 
Program, authorized by the Public Health Service Act, by adding 
integrated cockroach management to rodent control as an eligible 
activity for funding. Several groups have expressed support in working 
on behalf of the legislation. These include the Chicago Asthma 
Coalition, Southside Health Consortium American Lung Association, and 
the Safer Pest Control Project, a statewide coalition that promotes 
pesticide use reduction throughout Illinois.
  Integrated cockroach management is a multi-faceted approach to 
controlling the prevalence of cockroaches while minimizing pesticide 
use. It involves a range of techniques that include building cleaning 
and maintenance, and using pesticides as a means of last resort. The 
funds could be used for structural rehabilitation of buildings. This 
includes patching holes or open pipes that allow cockroaches entry; 
caulking cracks in walls; moving bushes away from buildings so 
cockroaches do not have easy access; and ensuring that all windows are 
properly screened.
  Integrated cockroach management can work. One example comes from 
Chicago. Residents of the Henry Horner Public Housing Development 
successfully created and carried out an integrated pest control program 
with assistance from the Safer Pest Control Project. The Henry Horner 
Pest Control Program is illustrative of the type of pro-active and 
preventive work that the Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 1998 would 
support.
  The Urban Asthma Reduction Act creates new possibilities for 
communities that are serious about making integrated pest management a 
component of a comprehensive public health policy. City-wide cockroach 
control carried out in Budapest, Hungary between 1978 and 1990 resulted 
in nearly cockroach-free housing, schools, factories, hospitals, and 
other public facilities. Budapest's experience is documented in 
``Efficacy of Large-Scale Rat and Cockroach Control Actions in Budapest 
Shown by Experiences Over a 23-Year Period,'' a paper presented at the 
1996 International Conference on Urban Pests held in Edinburgh, 
Scotland.
  Both the Henry Horner Pest Control program and the experience of 
Budapest demonstrate that a significant reduction in urban cockroach 
prevalence can be achieved and maintained. My hope is that the Urban 
Asthma Reduction Act of 1998 will prove a viable tool for urban 
communities to improve the quality of life and health of all residents, 
but especially children who suffer from asthma. I urge all my 
Colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this legislation.

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