Lessons on Building for Health from a Former Surgeon General

09/25/2024

Dr. John McKeon, Principal at the iAIR Institute and CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd (ASL), and former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, recently sat down together at a Knauf-hosted event during the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Summer Conference in Indianapolis. Their eye-opening conversation explored the critical issues of health disparity in asthma, improving air quality for all, and the reactive nature of the U.S. healthcare system.

Health disparities in asthma

As a lifelong asthma sufferer, Dr. Adams explained how he grew up in a small rural community in southern Maryland where “no one thought about clean air, indoors or out. I was exposed to toxins. I lived in rental housing that had mold, dander and mildew and didn't have great ventilation. That meant no matter what my physicians did, I was in the hospital over and over again.” He highlighted the health disparities in asthma in which black people in the U.S. are 40 percent more likely to have asthma than white people and black children are 8 times more likely to die from asthma (NIH).

Addressing social factors for better health outcomes

Dr. Adams explained that only 20 percent of our health is determined by medical care. The other 80 percent are what’s known as social determinants of health (SDoH): environmental and socioeconomic factors and health-related behaviors. “It’s what happens in our community — in the homes where we live and in the schools and churches we attend,” says Dr. Adams.

And yet, Dr. Adams says, “90 cents of every dollar that we spend on health in this country is spent on hospitals and clinics. We're spending far too much money on downstream healthcare issues because we aren't doing enough to promote health and wellness up front,” he explains.

Prevention is key, but not rewarded

But working together as a society to improve housing and air quality, we can provide people with cleaner air, which is proven to lower cardiovascular and pulmonary disease rates (WHO). This is not only a moral responsibility but also a sound business strategy.

Preventive measures are crucial for maintaining health. However, Drs. Adams and McKeon point out that the current structure of our country’s healthcare system does not provide sufficient incentives for the medical community to focus on preventive medicine.

“We have a ‘sick reimbursement system’ in this country. We don't promote health and wellness. Our system really is about diagnosis and treatment of disease. We wait until you have a disease before you can even come in and see anyone. Then we diagnose that disease, and then we treat that disease based on whether or not your insurance will pay for it. We need to shift the payment system from fee for service, which is still about 90 percent of how folks get paid, to value based care,” says Dr. Adams. “We need to actually have systems that pay people for health and wellness.”

Dr. McKeon agrees, ‘Prevention has often been overlooked in the American healthcare system, where the emphasis is placed on treating diseases after they arise. However, investing in better indoor air quality is a prime example of how prevention is truly better than cure. By improving the air we breathe in our homes, schools, and workplaces, we can reduce the burden of chronic diseases like asthma, leading to healthier populations and a more sustainable healthcare system. Innovative approaches to improving indoor air quality are not just about immediate health benefits—they represent a long-term investment in the well-being and productivity of our communities. It's time we shift our focus toward proactive measures that enhance overall well-being and reduce long-term healthcare costs.

According to research by groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians, we need to do more to remove financial barriers to preventative care.’

Knauf's Commitment to Healthier Indoor Air Quality

At Knauf, we care deeply about what goes into our products, how they are made, and most importantly how they will impact installers and occupants. In a world where indoor air pollution levels can be up to five times higher than outdoor air, improving indoor air quality is critical to preventative health and wellness.

Because of this commitment we created Knauf Performance+™, the first line of HVAC fiberglass insulation to be both CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® and Verified Healthier Air™. This certification requires rigorous physical, particulate and chemical testing on products to ensure they minimize allergen exposure and limit pollutants in the indoor environment. It is also the only HVAC fiberglass insulation line that is formaldehyde-free and boasts low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which significantly reduces the risk of exposure to asthma and allergy triggers.

“I really do think that institutions like Knauf understand that if we don't invest in healthier communities today, then we're not going to be around 50 years from now,” says Dr. Adams.

Watch the full enlightening discussion at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQLRMyWc3e8.

About Dr. John McKeon

Dr. McKeon is principal at the iAIR Institute, a medical entrepreneur and the CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd (ASL), an international standards and certification body he founded while working as an Emergency Room Doctor. In addition to his entrepreneurial and business activities, John maintains an interest in university research and knowledge exchange practices. He is an Adjunct Professor and Entrepreneur in Residence in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Trinity College Dublin,. Dr. McKeon is a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Healthier Homes Committee, he is also a member of ASHRAE’s Environmental Health Committee and as part of the iAIR Institute Dr. McKeon is an accredited educator for the American Institute of Architects.

About Dr. Jerome Adams

Dr. Adams is a Presidential Fellow, Executive Director of the Center for Community Health Enhancement and Learning (HEAL), and Distinguished Professor of Practice at Purdue University. As the 20th U.S. Surgeon General and a prior member of the President’s Coronavirus task force, Dr. Adams has been at the forefront of America’s most pressing health challenges. A regular communicator via TV, radio, and in print, Dr. Adams is an expert not just in the science, but also communicating the science to the public, and making it relevant to various audiences. Dr. Adams is a licensed anesthesiologist with a master’s degree in public health, and ran the Indiana State Department of Health prior to becoming Surgeon General.