What's the challenge?
Poor indoor and outdoor air quality detrimentally affect childhood respiratory health. Furthermore, children with respiratory conditions are more vulnerable to exposure to airborne mould and pollution.
This exposure is not equal: children living in poverty are disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to live in substandard housing and more polluted areas.
We have heard from members that patients are continuing to have poor health outcomes despite optimal medical management and engagement with healthcare services. This raises concerns that the breathed environment is a contributing factor.
Current challenges in addressing these concerns include the lack of time available in NHS appointments to discuss environmental determinants or health, and a lack of research data about mitigation strategies.
Where are the clinics?
We have been excited to learn about two novel clinics running in Liverpool (led by Professor Ian Sinha) and London (led by Professor Jonathan Grigg and Dr Abi Whitehouse). While the Liverpool clinic adopts a more clinical approach, and the London clinic focuses more on research– both share common ground in addressing the challenges their patients face.
What is the RCPCH CAF partnership doing?
We are interested to know what the strengths and challenges of each approach are, and whether there are elements of the clinics that could be rolled out inter/nationally.
To answer this question, we are conducting interviews with young people (led by RCPCH &Us) and clinicians to develop a report for policy makers, NHS leaders and child health professionals – due in Spring 2025.
Resources
In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about the clinics read this:.
Or listen to this excellent podcast: .
Contact us
If you already have a clean air clinic in your area, or are interested to know more, you can contact us at cleanair@rcpch.ac.uk.