Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

2-1-2026

Journal

Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology

DOI

10.1097/ACI.0000000000001127

PMID

41372800

PMCID

PMC12746776

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

12-10-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review examines how environmental injustice contributes to disparities in allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. It focuses on the role of social, geographic, and economic inequities in shaping disease prevalence, severity, and access to care among underrepresented racial and ethnic communities.

Recent findings: Recent studies emphasize the persistent exposure of low-income and racially marginalized populations to environmental hazards such as air pollution, substandard housing, and climate-related changes, factors that are linked to increased prevalence and severity of allergic diseases. While environmental policies have led to overall improvements in air quality, disparities in exposure and outcomes persist. Emerging policies show promise in reducing these gaps through more equitable and inclusive approaches.

Summary: Environmental injustice is a key driver of health disparities in allergic diseases and asthma. Structural inequities continue to place marginalized communities at higher risk of harmful exposures and adverse health outcomes. Addressing these disparities requires collaboration between policymakers, healthcare workers, researchers, and affected communities.

Keywords

Humans, Asthma, Environmental Exposure, Hypersensitivity, Healthcare Disparities, Health Status Disparities, Prevalence, Air Pollution, Social Justice, Health Services Accessibility, environmental injustice, health disparities, social determinants of health

Published Open-Access

yes

Download

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.