According to the hygiene hypothesis, the lowest rates of asthma are predicted to occur in which type of population?

The hygiene hypothesis posits that a lack of early childhood exposure to infectious agents, microorganisms, and parasites increases susceptibility to allergic diseases, including asthma. According to this hypothesis, populations that grow up in environments with less sanitation, more exposure to natural elements, and greater incidence of infections may develop a stronger immune system.

Poor rural families in developing countries often live in ways that expose them to a variety of pathogens and a diverse microbiome from the natural environment. This exposure may help lower the risk of developing asthma and allergies, as their immune systems learn to distinguish between harmless and harmful substances effectively.

In contrast, populations such as wealthy families in developed countries typically have better hygiene practices and limited exposure to various microbes, which may lead to a higher incidence of asthma and allergies. Similarly, poor urban families in developed countries may face environmental stressors and pollutants that also contribute to higher asthma rates, making the circumstances of poor rural families in developing countries more favorable from the perspective of the hygiene hypothesis.