[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF THE URBAN ASTHMA REDUCTION ACT OF 1999

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 1999

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to join with several of my 
colleagues upon the introduction of The Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 
1999.
  My 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 this problem.
  Asthma is on the rise, especially in inner cities. Last year, 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 the poor and minority communities, 
especially African-American and Latinos. In 1993, among children and 
adults, African Americans were 3 to 4 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 1999 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.
  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.
  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. My hope is that the 
Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 1999 will prove a viable tool for urban 
communities to improve the quality and life of all residents, but 
especially children who suffer from asthma.

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