Asthma persists in West Side neighborhood

Children with asthma are becoming more common in neighborhoods near the Peace Bridge. Clinical assistant professor Bernadette Pursel, R.N. from D’Youville College talks about how environmental factors, like truck exhaust, can play a huge role in the development of asthma.  Pursel said economic issues seem to affect the community’s motivation to follow up on asthma treatments. “Some of these people take two or three buses to get to their healthcare provider,” Pursel said. “Then they have to take another few buses to get their prescription filled while they drag three kids in the rain.” Pursel has been a nurse on the West Side for 45 years, and lives on Ashland Avenue. By Shana Campbell and Andrew Manzella