Asthma and the Environment in
Jamaica
Asthma is a common lung disease and a leading cause of hospitalizations for children under 15 years old. This report provides a summary of asthma indicators by neighborhood. It also describes housing and neighborhood characteristics that can make asthma worse.
Download Report Data (opens in a new tab)
Neighborhood Information
Jamaica is comprised of Zip codes 11412,11423,11432,11433,11434,11435,11436,11451
Child Asthma
Rates per 10,000 residents, unless otherwise indicated.
Asthma (public school children) :
Asthma among public school children ages 5 to 14 years old (per 1,000 children), 2013-2014
In Jamaica, the asthma among public school children ages 5 to 14 years old (per 1,000 children), 2013-2014 is Better than the NYC average.
Asthma is a common disease characterized by breathing difficulty. Environmental exposures resulting from poor air quality and housing maintenance are known to increase risk of asthma development and trigger asthma symptoms.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Asthma ED visits (children):
Asthma emergency department visits among children ages 5 to 17 years old, 2016
In Jamaica, the asthma emergency department visits among children ages 5 to 17 years old, 2016 is Middle than the NYC average.
Severe asthma attacks can result in a visit to the ED. Certain exposures can trigger asthma symptoms, including smoke, air pollution, dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pollen and pet dander, among others.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Asthma hospitalizations (children):
Asthma hospitalizations among children ages 5 to 17 years old, 2016
In Jamaica, the asthma hospitalizations among children ages 5 to 17 years old, 2016 is Middle than the NYC average.
Asthma hospitalizations are more severe asthma outcomes. They're often clustered in high-poverty neighborhoods, where disinvestment and poor housing conditions expose residents to triggers.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Adult Asthma
Age-adjusted rates per 10,000 residents (or percent where indicated)
Asthma hospitalizations (adults):
Asthma hospitalizations among adults ages 18 years and older, 2016
In Jamaica, the asthma hospitalizations among adults ages 18 years and older, 2016 is Better than the NYC average.
Asthma hospitalizations are more severe asthma outcomes. They're often clustered in high-poverty neighborhoods, where disinvestment and poor housing conditions expose residents to triggers.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Asthma ED visits (adults):
Asthma emergency department visits among adults ages 18 years and older, 2016
In Jamaica, the asthma emergency department visits among adults ages 18 years and older, 2016 is Middle than the NYC average.
Severe asthma attacks can result in a visit to the ED. Certain exposures can trigger asthma symptoms, including smoke, air pollution, dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pollen and pet dander, among others.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Asthma (adults) :
Adults ages 18 years and older with asthma in the past 12 months (age-adjusted percent), 2017
In Jamaica, the adults ages 18 years and older with asthma in the past 12 months (age-adjusted percent), 2017 is Worse than the NYC average.
Asthma is a common disease characterized by breathing difficulty. Environmental exposures resulting from poor air quality and housing maintenance are known to increase risk of asthma development and trigger asthma symptoms. Beginning in 2017, indicator includes data imputed for missing responses.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Social and Economic Risk Factors
These indicators describe conditions that make a neighborhood more at-risk for asthma.
Health insurance (adults):
Adults with health insurance, 2017
In Jamaica, the adults with health insurance, 2017 is Better than the NYC average.
Health insurance coverage is associated with numerous beneficial health effects. Those with health insurance are more likely to have a regular doctor, receive preventive care services, better manage chronic health conditions, have longer life expectancy, and more.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Poverty:
Living in poverty, 2013-17
In Jamaica, the living in poverty, 2013-17 is Worse than the NYC average.
Neighborhood poverty is a major determinant of health, since poverty deprives people of access to health and safety resources.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Indoor Air Quality
Percentage of homes with potential sources of allergens and pollutants that can make asthma symptoms worse.
Mice or rats (inside) :
Adults reporting mice in the home, 2012
In Jamaica, the adults reporting mice in the home, 2012 is Better than the NYC average.
Mice or rats in the home are a source of household allergens connected to the developement of asthma and exacerbation of asthma symptoms. They may also indicate other health-threatening maintenance deficiencies.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Mold :
Adults reporting mold in the home (percent), 2012
In Jamaica, the adults reporting mold in the home (percent), 2012 is Better than the NYC average.
Mold can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma, and indicate maintenance deficiencies in a building.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Cockroaches:
Homes with cockroaches, 2017
In Jamaica, the homes with cockroaches, 2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
The saliva, feces, and shedding body parts of cockroaches are an allergen and can trigger asthma.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Secondhand smoke :
Adults reporting secondhand smoke at home, 2012
In Jamaica, the adults reporting secondhand smoke at home, 2012 is Worse than the NYC average.
Secondhand smoke, especially indoors, is bad for health - especially for the health of children.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Smoke-free homes :
Adults who allow smoking in the home (percent), 2013
In Jamaica, the adults who allow smoking in the home (percent), 2013 is Worse than the NYC average.
A smoke-free home policy can limit people's exposure to secondhand smoke, which is especially dangerous to children.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Home Maintenance
Percentage of homes with conditions that can affect asthma.
Cracks:
Homes with cracks or holes, 2017
In Jamaica, the homes with cracks or holes, 2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Cracks or holes are a maintenance deficiency linked to the presence of mice, rats, and cockroaches - which can harm residents' health.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Leaks:
Homes with leaks, 2017
In Jamaica, the homes with leaks, 2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Leaks are a maintenance deficiency that can harm health by introducing mold, which can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Maintenance problems:
Renter-occupied homes with any health-related maintenance problems (percent) 2017
In Jamaica, the renter-occupied homes with any health-related maintenance problems (percent) 2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Housing without health-threatening maintenance deficiencies is an important environmental component of health.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Outdoor Air Quality
Outdoor pollutants that can worsen asthma symptoms.
Ozone:
Ozone (O3) (mean ppb), Summer 2018
In Jamaica, the ozone (o3) (mean ppb), summer 2018 is Better than the NYC average.
Ozone is a common air pollutant that can harm breathing and worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
PM2.5 (Fine particles) :
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) (mean mcg per cubic meter), Annual Average 2018
In Jamaica, the fine particulate matter (pm2.5) (mean mcg per cubic meter), annual average 2018 is Worse than the NYC average.
Fine particles are emitted by vehicles, building boilers, and other combustion - and are a major form of air pollution that harms health.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Health Burden: Fine Particles (PM2.5)
Estimated health events attributable to PM2.5 exposures, (average annual rate per 100,000 residents)
PM2.5 asthma ED visits (children) :
Attributable asthma emergency department visits among children under 18 years of age, 2015-2017
In Jamaica, the attributable asthma emergency department visits among children under 18 years of age, 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
PM2.5-attributable asthma ED visits represent part of the health burden imposed by fine particle air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
PM2.5 asthma ED visits (children) :
Attributable asthma emergency department visits among adults ages 18 and older, 2015-2017
In Jamaica, the attributable asthma emergency department visits among adults ages 18 and older, 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
PM2.5-attributable asthma ED visits represent part of the health burden imposed by fine particle air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Health Burden: Ozone (O3)
Estimated health events attributable to ozone (O3) exposures,(average annual rate per 100,000 residents), April through September
Ozone asthma ED visits (children) :
Attributable asthma emergency department visits among children under 18 years of age, 2015-2017
In Jamaica, the attributable asthma emergency department visits among children under 18 years of age, 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Ozone-attributable asthma ED visits represent part of the health burden of ozone air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Ozone asthma ED visits (children) :
Attributable asthma emergency department visits among adults ages 18 years and older, 2015-2017
In Jamaica, the attributable asthma emergency department visits among adults ages 18 years and older, 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Ozone-attributable asthma ED visits represent part of the health burden of ozone air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Ozone asthma hospitalizations (children) :
Attributable asthma hospitalizations among children under 18 years of age, 2015-2017
In Jamaica, the attributable asthma hospitalizations among children under 18 years of age, 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Ozone-attributable asthma hospitalizations represent part of the health burden of ozone air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
Trend
Map
Ozone asthma hospitalizations (children) :
Attributable asthma hospitalizations among adults ages 18 years and older, 2015-2017
In Jamaica, the attributable asthma hospitalizations among adults ages 18 years and older, 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Ozone-attributable asthma hospitalizations represent part of the health burden of ozone air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC