Minority populations in the U.S. were much more likely to be infected with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2 and experience severe COVID-19 disease.

In this project, the team leveraged an existing cohort of low-income children with asthma who participated in a housing mobility program to characterize rates of SARS-CoV2 infection and disease among participating children and their household members. They explored the relationship between indoor allergen and pollutant exposures, including second-hand smoke, and SARS-CoV2 infection and disease. The team also assessed the impact of pandemic conditions on indoor exposures relevant to asthma among this population.

This cohort presented a unique opportunity to study SARS-CoV2 within a group of children with well-phenotyped asthma and well-characterized indoor exposures.