Cohort profile: The Assessing Imperial Valley Respiratory Health and the Environment (AIRE) study

Background The Children's Assessing Imperial Valley Respiratory Health and the Environment (AIRE) study is a prospective cohort study of environmental influences on respiratory health in a rural, southeastern region of California (CA), which aims to longitudinally examine the contribution of a drying saline lake to adverse health impacts in children. Objectives This cohort was established through a community–academic partnership with the goal of assessing the health effects of childhood exposures to wind‐blown particulate matter (PM) and inform public health action. We hypothesize that local PM sources are related to poorer children's respiratory health. Population Elementary school children in Imperial Valley, CA. Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Between 2017 and 2019, we collected baseline information on 731 children, then follow‐up assessments yearly or twice‐yearly since 2019. Data have been collected on children's respiratory health, demographics, household characteristics, physical activity and lifestyle, via questionnaires completed by parents or primary caregivers. In‐person measurements, conducted since 2019, repeatedly assessed lung function, height, weight and blood pressure. Exposure to air pollutants has been assessed by multiple methods and individually assigned to participants using residential and school addresses. Health data will be linked to ambient and local sources of PM, during and preceding the study period to understand how spatiotemporal trends in these environmental exposures may relate to respiratory health. Preliminary Results Analyses of respiratory symptoms indicate a high prevalence of allergies, bronchitic symptoms and wheezing. Asthma diagnosis was reported in 24% of children at enrolment, which exceeds both CA state and US national prevalence estimates for children. Conclusions The Children's AIRE cohort, while focused on the health impacts of the drying Salton Sea and air quality in Imperial Valley, is poised to elucidate the growing threat of drying saline lakes and wind‐blown dust sources to respiratory health worldwide, as sources of wind‐blown dust emerge in our changing climate.