New findings suggest that living in a single-parent home can harm the health of children with asthma.

Researchers at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center report that kids in single-parent homes are 50 percent more likely to be rehospitalized for treatment than those in two-parent homes. The increased risk also appeared for kids from households earning under $60,000 a year.

“Parents play an important role in controlling their child’s asthma and it takes time, energy, and resources to follow their physician’s treatment plan, including reducing triggers and consistently giving medicines,” said Dr. Terri Moncrief of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Uncontrolled asthma results in approximately 500,000 hospitalizations, 1.8 million emergency room visits and 10.5 million doctor’s office visits each year in the U.S., according to the ACAA.