Conclusions
Environmental conditions, such as air pollution, are a major determinant
of childhood asthma, but such conditions are not shared equally across
the population, regions, and settings where people live, work, and spend
their time. Urban areas may be affected by industrial activities and
traffic-related emissions with high levels of air pollution and a lack
of quality and safety features that enhance healthy living, such as
urban natural spaces. Urban conditions and air quality are not only
important features for national and local authorities to shape healthy
cities and protect their citizens from environmental and health risks,
but they also provide opportunities to mitigate inequalities in the most
deprived areas where the environmental burden is highest. Actions to
avoid exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollutants should be
complementary at different levels – individual, local, and
national levels – to take strong measures to protect children who have
little or no control over the air they breathe.