Large study finds children with disabilities are likelier to have asthma

Children with disabilities are much more likely to also have asthma than other kids, according to new research. Scientists looked at data from nearly 72,000 families who participated in a nationwide survey in 2016 and 2017. Although only 15% were reported to have at least one disability and 8% to have asthma, the odds of asthma were nearly three times higher in kids with a disability. Overall, 16% of those with a disability also had asthma, compared to 6.5% of those without a disability. The biggest differences were in children with hearing loss, cerebral palsy, or a learning disability. The findings only represent associations, and future research ought to examine possible links between asthma and disabilities, the researchers suggest.