LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT/Edited News Release) – Children in Arkansas face significant challenges with asthma compared to their counterparts in other regions, prompting a dedicated scientist at the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to investigate the underlying causes of this pressing health issue.
Dr. Akilah Jefferson, who holds a dual role as an early career researcher at ACRI and an assistant professor of Pediatrics within the Division of Allergy and Immunology at UAMS College of Medicine, has been awarded an impressive $662,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This four-year funding initiative will enable her to delve into the reasons why asthma presents a distinct and troubling challenge for children across Arkansas. In her capacity at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) and Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW), Dr. Jefferson actively treats children suffering from various allergies and immune-related conditions.
Asthma is recognized as one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among children, and it can be particularly severe for those living in under-resourced and rural settings. In Arkansas, a concerning trend is observed where children in rural areas, especially those from minority or low-income backgrounds, experience higher rates of asthma. This demographic is also at an increased risk for severe asthma complications that can endanger their lives.
Dr. Jefferson’s research team is set to investigate various factors that may contribute to these health disparities, including the influence of a child’s home environment, their access to healthcare services, and the quality of care they receive. Furthermore, they will assess the role different communities and healthcare providers play in shaping these health outcomes.
“A child’s zip code should have nothing to do with how easy it is for them to breathe. Arkansas children need our help to determine why asthma is so challenging in our state and to create new ways to help them,” asserted Jefferson. “Our goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of where they live, has the chance to breathe easy and thrive.”
By gaining a deeper understanding of these contributing factors, Dr. Jefferson aspires to develop tailored interventions aimed at improving asthma outcomes for children in rural Arkansas. This could encompass initiatives aimed at enhancing education about effective asthma management, broadening access to healthcare services, or tackling environmental elements that may provoke asthma attacks.
The funding for this critical research comes through the NIH’s Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development (K23) program, which is specifically designed to create “protected time” for clinically trained researchers, enabling them to undergo comprehensive, supervised training in the realm of biomedical research. The award underscores a commitment to fostering research career development with the aim of successfully preparing candidates to pursue major research grants like the NIH R01 at the completion of the award period. Dr. Tamara Perry, MD, who serves as the chief of Allergy and Immunology at Arkansas Children’s, is mentoring Jefferson throughout this important project.
This meaningful work is further supported by the UAMS Translational Research Institute, which is funded through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences at the NIH, under grant award Kl2 TR003108.
To report a typo or correction, please click here.
**Interview with Dr. Akilah Jefferson on Asthma Challenges in Arkansas Children**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Jefferson. Your recent grant from the NIH is exciting news for asthma research in Arkansas. Can you tell us more about your study and what motivated you to focus on asthma in children?
**Dr. Jefferson:** Thank you for having me! I’m thrilled to discuss this important issue. Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting children, especially here in Arkansas, where we see higher rates of asthma among children in rural areas, particularly those from minority and low-income backgrounds. The motivation behind this study stems from my clinical experiences at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Arkansas Children’s Northwest, where I witness firsthand the challenges these children face.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the disparities in asthma rates among different communities. What specific factors do you and your team plan to investigate?
**Dr. Jefferson:** Our research will look at a variety of factors contributing to these health disparities. This includes examining children’s home environments, their access to healthcare services, and the quality of care they receive. We’ll also explore how the communities and healthcare providers influence health outcomes. It’s crucial to understand these elements to develop effective interventions.
**Interviewer:** Could you elaborate on why the home environment is a critical factor in asthma management?
**Dr. Jefferson:** Absolutely. The home environment can significantly affect a child’s respiratory health. For example, exposure to allergens like mold, dust mites, and tobacco smoke can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Additionally, families living in under-resourced areas may lack access to preventive healthcare or adequate education about asthma management, which can lead to increased hospital visits and severe asthma complications.
**Interviewer:** As a researcher and a healthcare provider, what do you hope will be the key outcomes of your research?
**Dr. Jefferson:** I hope that our research will lead to a better understanding of the specific challenges children in Arkansas face regarding asthma. We aim to develop tailored interventions that address these disparities, ultimately ensuring that a child’s zip code should not dictate their quality of care or their ability to breathe easily.
**Interviewer:** what message do you have for families in Arkansas who are dealing with asthma?
**Dr. Jefferson:** My message is clear: help is on the way. We’re dedicated to understanding and addressing the unique challenges that families face in managing asthma. I encourage parents to stay informed, advocate for their children’s health, and seek support from their healthcare providers. Together, we can work towards better health outcomes for all children in Arkansas.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Jefferson, for your insights and the important work you’re doing. We look forward to seeing the impact of your research!
**Dr. Jefferson:** Thank you for the opportunity to share this vital work with your audience!
