A geographical study of childhood asthma in Cessnock,New South Wales

A preliminary investigation of the spatial distribution of child asthmatics in Cessnock, NSW, is undertaken in order to identify possible relationships between asthma and location of residence. These appear to vary according to the data and criteria used. The residential distribution of children admitted to hospital with asthma is compared with that of asthmatic children identified by a (parental) self‐assessment questionnaire survey conducted through public primary schools. Admissions data appear not to reflect asthma prevalence or incidence, but may reflect chronicity and distance from hospital. Certain socioeconomic and housing variables may exacerbate, but not cause, asthma. Children not born in Cessnock experienced onset of asthma later in life than those born in Cessnock.