Asthma is now considered a
global epidemic. The number of people with asthma
and the severity of this disease continue to grow
in many parts of the world, primarily in highly
developed countries. According to the American
Lung Association, more than 20 million Americans
are currently living with asthma. Asthma is the
most common chronic disorder in childhood
affecting an estimated 6.2 million children under
the age of 18. In 2002, there were 4,261 deaths
due to asthma.
Asthma is a chronic (persisting over a long
period of time) inflammation of the airways with
reversible episodes of obstruction. An attack is
triggered by an increased reaction of the airways
to various causes, such as infection, allergies,
exposure to cold, cigarette smoke, excitement,
stress, and/or vigorous exercise.
With proper management, asthma can be controlled
and the person can lead a normal life.
(Information
provided from the American Lung Association Web
Site)
* Chart represents Adults who have ever been told they have
asthma
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System, Prevalence Data http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss/index.asp
| http://www.vahealth.org/cdpc/asthma/data.asp
The Heart Disease Death Rate in the chart above includes these
diseases of the heart: hypertensive and cerebrovascular diseases,
atherosclerosis, and other diseases of the arteries, arterioles,
and capillaries
The asthma rate mentioned in the chart above is based on hospital
discharge information categorized by zip code. The report’s
authors caution that the “level of admissions may indicate
access to health care issues, lack of insurance, few options for
service, or the presence of social issues that can influence
patient adherence to medical regimes (homelessness, inconsistent
caregivers, etc).
1 Indicators of Healthy Communities 2003”, The
Virginia Center for Healthy Communities in collaboration with the
Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. http://67.92.69.86/atlas.aspx
Additional Information:
American
Lung Association
American Lung Association of
Virginia
Virginia
Asthma Coalition
Additional asthma resources may be found on our Resources page
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