Asthma is a chronic health condition that affects the lungs and airways. The tubes that move air in and out of the lungs can become inflamed or narrowed, which causes breathing to be difficult.

About 1 in 13 people in the U.S. have asthma, which most often develops during childhood.

Certain environmental factors can trigger asthma attacks or make asthma worse, such as, pollen, cigarette smoke, viral or bacterial infections (like a cold), obesity and air pollution.

(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2024)

The Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood in San Francisco, has more than four times the rates of hospitalization and emergency rooms visits from asthma compared to other western parts of the city.

Children in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco have an asthma rate of 1 in 6, or 15.5%.

Overall, 10% of all residents living in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco have asthma compared to the national average of 5.6%.

The Hunter’s Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco once housed a large, naval base where hazardous materials were used for nuclear weapons development, following the establishment of the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory in 1946.

Asthma leads to an increase in flare-ups, sleep deprivation. and the narrowing of airways. Increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma in turn increases healthcare costs.

Currently, asthma remains as one of the main reasons for children missing school, thus impacting learning and development.

1 in 6 children residing in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco are affected by asthma.

86% of children living in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco developed severe asthma before kindergarten.

Asthma has been shown to be triggered by strong emotions, both positive and negative.

As children develop through different stages of play they interact more both indoors and outdoors, at friend's and family homes, in parks, and outside in the neighborhoods they live in.

(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2024)

(Plaza-González et al., 2022)

(Pathways, 2019)

The Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood in San Francisco houses concrete plants, an animal rendering plant, data centers powered by large diesel generators, a wastewater treatment plant that treats over 80% of the city’s sewage and dozens of abandoned toxic waste sites.

Toxic waste that is released in the air, water, and even soil can irritate airways and lead to respiratory problems such as asthma.

Additionally, the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco borders the Port of San Francisco while also being surrounded by two major freeways with heavy diesel truck traffic.

Parents may lack the education on the potential complications and life changes asthma can bring to children and their families.

An unclean home environment can trigger asthma because of allergens such as pets, cockroaches, mice, dust, household sprays and second hand smoke. Even the fumes from a gas stove has been linked to aggravating asthma symptoms.

Decrease in the number of asthma cases amongst children ages 5-17 in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco in 2 years.

Decrease levels of air pollution in Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco to lower asthma rates in 2 years.

Hire staff.

Identify spaces within the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco to rent for the conducting of program activities (workshop & lung tests)

Promote training/workshops through the use of fliers and social media.

Develop curriculum for the Asthma & Allergies 101 workshop.

Recruit participants.

Recruit a student doctor and a medical assistant from UCSF to conduct simple spirometry asthma exams.

Train Peer Educators (A-Team) in instructing the Asthma & Allergies 101 workshop.

Purchase air purifiers and replacement HEPA filters.

Facilitate/coordinate a block party in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco to highlight reduced asthma rates and reduced air pollution.

Conduct closing evaluation activities.

Develop a final report on Breathe Easy program.

2 certified Asthma Team Members (A-Team members)

1 curriculum to train the A-Team

1 Asthma and Allergens 101 workshop curriculum

320 parents and guardians (20 people per workshop over the course of 16 weeks) in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco will possess knowledge on asthma, slow breathing techniques, how to reduce allergens, and air purifiers/HEPA filters via the Asthma and Allergens 101 workshop

320 households (20 people per workshop over the course of 16 weeks) within the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco will have an indoor air purifier with HEPA filters and 5 additional HEPA replacement filters provided by the Asthma and Allergens 101 workshop.

320 children residing in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco will be tested for asthma via spirometry tests.

Program Coordinator

Peer Educators (2 A-Team)

UCSF Medical Student Doctor

UCSF Student Medical Assistant

As children grow and play with their friends, they learn to explore and react to emotions. Since asthma attacks can be triggered by strong emotions, it is possible that a child diagnosed with asthma may experience an attack trigger.

Children tend to play at their friends' homes and may be exposed to allergens that aren't in their own home. This exposure may trigger an asthma attack and while also not having access to an adult who would know how to respond.

African Americans make up 31% of the population in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco.

This statistic reflects the policies of redlining that took place in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco post-WWII.

Large amounts of air pollution and disproportionately high asthma rates among children suggests that historical housing policies have negatively affected lung health in the Hunter's Point-Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco.