Jing Gennie Wang, MD

Women are more likely than men to have uncontrolled asthma. Diet and air pollution are two modifiable factors that may contribute to asthma health. We do not know if adhering to a plant-based diet may reduce asthma attacks and improve symptoms. Certain dietary nutrients may also alter the asthmatic response to inhaled exposures, such as air pollution. However, it is unknown if the patterns of what we eat and the air we breathe interact together to impact asthma control.  Using the Nurses’ Health Study cohorts of women with asthma, we will determine the influence of long-time adherence to a plant-based diet on asthma morbidity, and whether a plant-based diet modifies the asthmatic response to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This work will establish a foundation for subsequent interventions promoting healthy dietary practices to improve respiratory health for women.