Letter to the editor: More trees make for healthier children

After fervent summer heat waves , Pittsburghers are now enjoying cool breezes and changing leaves. Fall is an opportune time to plant trees, and we believe that investing in programs to increase green space in all Pittsburgh neighborhoods is crucial to improving the health of our children.

Trees can absorb pollutants and convert them into nontoxic products. This functions to improve air quality, which in turn decreases rates of childhood asthma. Pittsburgh’s industrial history and current production has led to higher rates of childhood asthma and other airway problems. The rate of childhood asthma is 8.3% nationally but is an unacceptable 22.5% near industrial sites and highways in the Pittsburgh area. The worst-affected neighborhoods are disproportionately low-income and minority communities.

Focusing our attention on improving air quality in these communities will reduce childhood health disparities. The Allegheny Land Trust and Tree Pittsburgh are organizations working to conserve and expand green space available in the Pittsburgh area. We, as medical students, encourage you to contribute to these initiatives through donations, service and advocacy.

Divya Natesan, Kendall Curtis and Aniruddh Ajith

Shaydyside

The writers are second-year medical students in the Physician-Scientist Training Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.