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Clean Air Interventions for Milwaukee Child Cares

Understanding the impact of poor indoor air quality on children in child care centers in Milwaukee County

Full Project Name:Clean Air Interventions for Milwaukee Child CaresPrincipal Investigator:Joshua Steinberg, MD, PediatricsAward Amount:$400,000.00
Award Date
October2020
Project Duration:42 months

Project Description Narrative:


In Wisconsin, one out of every 13 children has asthma. Urban pre-school children are disproportionately impacted. Among children under the age of 5, asthma hospitalizations within Milwaukee County are nearly double that of the state, and asthma-related emergency visit rates are nearly 1.5 times higher. Poor indoor air quality is associated with wheeze and asthma development, and pre-school children spend most of their time indoors often at child care centers with poor air quality.

Through this award, project investigators will study Milwaukee County child care centers to objectively assess indoor air quality and relevant behaviors, wheezing prevalence, and the effectiveness of interventions like HEPA filters and policy support.

Project Updates:


  • Engaged a Community Advisory Team composed of multiple child care center administrators, community health providers, and project partners to make recommendations and assist in project development
  • Developed bilingual educational and survey materials that will be incorporated into a mobile app, allowing for response data from parents and child care staff
  • Engaged over 40 nursing and graduate MPH/DNP students in developing educational components for the mobile app

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