Who Can Get Asthma
Anyone can develop asthma at any age. People with allergies or people exposed to tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke are more likely to develop asthma.
Statistics show women tend to have asthma more than men, and asthma affects Black Americans more frequently than other races.
When a child develops asthma, healthcare providers call it childhood asthma. If it develops later in life, its adult-onset asthma.
Children do not outgrow asthma. They may have fewer symptoms as they get older, but they could still have an asthma attack. Your childs healthcare provider can help you understand the risks.
The Prevalence Of Asthma Is High In Massachusetts
- In 2015, approximately 1 in 9 people in Massachusetts 10.2% of adults and 12.9% children currently had asthma2.
- The prevalence of lifetime and current asthma among adults was higher in Massachusetts than the nation.
- In Massachusetts, prevalence of current asthma was higher among
- Adult females compared to adult males
- Male children compared to female children
- Adults and children in households with lower incomes
- Adults and children in households with lower educational attainment of the adult
- Adults who smoke
- Adults and children who have a disability
1 Moorman JE, Akinbami LJ, Bailey CM, et al. National Surveillance of Asthma: United States, 20012010. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 3. 2012
2 A Profile of Health Among Massachusetts Adults, 2015
How Do Rates Of Emergency Admission To Hospital For Asthma Vary Across The Uk 200812
Asthma accounts for 60,000 hospital admissions and 200,000 bed days a year. Compared with conditions such as pneumonia and COPD, these figures are low. But like mortality rates, they are too high for such a manageable condition.
Its also worth noting that many people with asthma attend accident and emergency units without needing admission, but still adding to the burden on health services.
England: There were higher rates of emergency admission in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and the West Midlands than in the UK generally. There were lower admission rates in the East of England, the South East and South West.
Notably more males were admitted in the North East, North West, West Midlands, and London.
Scotland: The admission rate among women was higher than in the UK generally.
Wales: Admission rates were comparable to those for the UK generally.
Northern Ireland: There were lower admission rates for males and females compared with the UK generally.
Asthma hospital admission ratios, males and females, in each UK region, 200812
Relative risk of hospital admissions for asthma, by local authority district , 2010
You can find out how these figures were calculated.
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California Air Resources Board
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that continues to be a health concern in California, the United States and many other countries around the world. Asthma is a condition in which an individuals airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Children and certain racial groups, especially African Americans and Native Americans, have experienced relatively greater increases in asthma prevalence. Low income individuals also experience higher rates of asthma.
In 2014, 13.8% of adults reported that they had ever been diagnosed with asthma and 8.1% said they still have asthma . Among children under age 18, 13.7% had lifetime asthma and 9.4% had current asthma. This translates to approximately 4 million adults and 1.2 million children in California who have been diagnosed with asthma, and 2.3 million adults and 851,000 children in California who have current asthma. The prevalence has not changed signicantly since 2001, though increases have been shown in earlier decades.
There are a number of organizations that provide information on asthma management as well as conducting surveillance on asthma outcomes in California and nationwide. More Information
Asthma Uk’s Press Office Can Provide Facts And Statistics About Asthma Including Prevalence Deaths And Hospital Admissions
If you use any of the statistics below, please attribute them to Asthma UK
Key facts for journalists
- 5.4 million people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma: 1.1 million children and 4.3 million adults .
- Every 10 seconds someone is having a potentially life-threatening asthma attack in the UK.
- On average, 3 people die from an asthma attack in the UK every day
- Around 200,000 people in the UK have severe asthma, this is a debilitating form of the condition that doesnt respond to usual treatments and can cause people to be in and out of hospital
- The NHS spends around £1 billion a year treating and caring for people with asthma.
- In 2016/17 there were 77,124 admissions to hospital for asthma in the UK.
- In 2017 1,484 people in the UK died from an asthma attack in the UK
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Most Recent National Asthma Data
These tables feature the latest national and state statistics on the burden of asthma among children and adults. The data are from national and state surveillance systems administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Links to sources are provided with each table to assist with finding additional information on the data and relevant tables and reports.
| Characteristic2 | Weighted Number with Current Asthma1 | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Below 100% of the poverty threshold | 4,814,158 | |
| 100% to less than 250% of the poverty threshold | 7,837,412 | |
| 250% to less than 450% of the poverty threshold | 6,345,803 | |
| 450% of poverty threshold or higher | 6,138,494 | 5.9 |
Abbreviations: NH = Non-Hispanic, SE = Standard Error1Includes persons who answered “yes” to the questions: “Have you EVER been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had asthma?” and “Do you still have asthma?”2Numbers within selected characteristics may not sum to total due to rounding and varying missing values.3Poverty level is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. Poverty level was calculated separately using 10 imputed income files.Source: 2019 National Health Interview Survey Data, Table 3-1 and Table 4-1 .
Current Asthma1 Prevalence by Race and Ethnicity
NationalPrevalence of Asthma Attacks1 among People with Current Asthma2 by Age
Prevalence of Asthma Attacks1 among People with Current Asthma2 by Race and Ethnicity
National
How Common Is Insect Allergy
People who have insect allergies are often allergic to bee and wasp stings and poisonous ant bites. Cockroaches and dust mites may also cause nasal or skin allergy symptoms.
- Insect sting allergies affect 5 percent of the population.13
- At least 90-100 deaths occur each year in the United States due to insect sting anaphylaxis.14
References
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. . Allergy Facts.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. . 2018 National Health Interview Survey data. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from
FoodSafety.gov. . Protect Yourself from Food Allergies. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Wood, R. A., Camargo, C. A., Lieberman, P., Sampson, H. A., Schwartz, L. B., Zitt, M., Collins, C., Tringale, M., Wilkinson, M., Boyle, J., & Simons, F. E. R. . Anaphylaxis in America: the prevalence and characteristics of anaphylaxis in the United States. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 133, 461467.
Jerschow, E., Lin, R. Y., Scaperotti, M. M., & McGinn, A. P. . Fatal anaphylaxis in the United States 1999-2010: temporal patterns and demographic associations. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 134, 1318-1328.e7.
Allergy Research
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Vehicle Pollution ‘results In 4m Child Asthma Cases A Year’
Equivalent of 11,000 new cases a day occur worldwide due to toxic air from traffic, researchers say
Four million children develop asthma every year as a result of air pollution from cars and trucks, equivalent to 11,000 new cases a day, a landmark study has found.
Most of the new cases occur in places where pollution levels are already below the World Health Organization limit, suggesting toxic air is even more harmful than thought.
The damage to childrens health is not limited to China and India, where pollution levels are particularly high. In UK and US cities, the researchers blame traffic pollution for a quarter of all new childhood asthma cases.
Canada has the third highest rate of new traffic-related asthma cases among the 194 nations analysed, while Los Angeles and New York City are in the top 10 worst cities out of the 125 assessed. Children are especially vulnerable to toxic air and exposure is also known to leave them with stunted lungs.
The research, , is the first global assessment of the impact of traffic fumes on childhood asthma based on high-resolution pollution data.
Our findings suggest that millions of new cases of paediatric asthma could be prevented by reducing air pollution, said Prof Susan Anenberg, at George Washington University in the US. Asthma can cause deadly seizures.
How Do Rates Of Emergency Admission To Hospital For Copd Vary Across The Uk 200812
England: There were higher rates of emergency admission for the North East, the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber compared with the UK generally, with admission rates for females markedly higher in the North East and North West.
In London, admission rates for males were higher, while female admission rates were similar to the UK generally.
Admission rates were notably lower in the East of England, South East and South West than in the UK generally.
Scotland: Rates of admission were higher compared with the UK generally, with more females admitted than males.
Wales: Rates of admission were higher compared with the UK generally, with no significant difference between males and females.
Northern Ireland: Rates of admission were higher compared with the UK generally, with more males admitted than females.
COPD hospital admission ratios, males and females, in each UK region, 200812
Relative risk of emergency hospital admissions for COPD, by local authority district , 2010
Relative risk is used in medical research to compare risk in different groups of people. In the maps we show the risk of an area relative to the average for Scotland, England and Wales. Here we show whether the group of people living in a particular area have a risk of emergency admission to hospital from COPD that is lower or higher than the average. Because of the way relative risk is calculated there must always be some areas above average and some below average.
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Asthma In Massachusetts Is Costly
- The total charges for hospitalization due to asthma in Massachusetts increased 82.5% from $57 million in 2002 to $104 million in 2013.
- In 2013, public insurance was the expected payer for 66.61% of hospitalizations due to asthma.
Figure 2. Total Charges for Hospitalizations Due to Asthma, Massachusetts Residents, 2002-2013
Disparities Exist in Hospitalizations, Emergency Department Visits, and Outpatient Observation Stays by age, gender and race/ethnicity.
- Adults ages 65 years and older had the 2nd highest rate of hospitalization due to asthma, but had the lowest rates of emergency department visits and outpatient observation stays due to asthma.
- From 2002 through 2013, Black, non-Hispanics and Hispanics consistently had significantly higher age-adjusted rates of hospitalization due to asthma than White, non-Hispanics. Children ages 0-4 years had the highest rates of emergency department visits, outpatient observation stays, and hospitalization due to asthma
Figure 3 Age-Specific Rates of Emergency Department Visits Due to Asthma, Massachusetts Residents, 2009-2013
For more information about Massachusetts asthma statistics, please contact .
How Many People Are First Diagnosed With Copd Each Year In The Uk
115,000 people are diagnosed with COPD each year equivalent to a new diagnosis every 5 minutes. In the five years up to 2008, incidence rates went down from 212 to 185 per 100,000. This could be due to changes in record-keeping, or could reflect a genuine fall in the number of people developing the condition. The data contrast with the rise in prevalence over the same period. Since 2008 incidence has been stable, with just under 115,000 new diagnoses recorded in 2012.
Number of new COPD diagnoses, per 100,000 people, 200412
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Asthma And Allergies: Whats The Connection
There has been an increased prevalence of asthma in the U.S. over the past several decades, explained allergist Clifford W. Bassett, M.D., also an ACAAI fellow. Although we may not have definitive explanations as to this increase, there are several possible theories.
These theories include the familiar hygiene hypothesis that over-sanitizing a childs environment can lead to decreased disease resistance. The rise in allergies and asthma may also be due to an increase in airborne pollens, climate changes that trigger a rise in pollen levels, the energy-proofing of indoor home and work spaces, urban air pollution, or the overuse of antibiotics.
Many experts believe environmental factors are a main contributor to asthma and allergies. Allergic asthma, the most common type, affects one in six people with asthma in the U.S. Allergic asthma is triggered by allergens like dust, pet dander, or cockroaches. Non-allergic asthma is usually caused by exercise, stress, smoke, or airway infections.
Asthma Morbidity & Mortality
There are just under 25 million people living with asthma in the United States, including:
Of those who have ever had a diagnosis of asthma, many reported at least one or more asthma attack including:
- 51.6% of children 9
In 2017 3,564 people died from asthma 11:
- The asthma death rate is highest among people over the age of 65 11
- Adult females have a higher rate of death than males 11
- Among children, boys are more likely to die than girls 11
- Blacks are two to three times more likely to die from asthma than all other racial or ethnic groups 11
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Fast Facts About Asthma: Data Compiled From The 2011 Survey On Living With Chronic Diseases In Canada
For readers interested in the PDF version, the document is available for downloading or viewing:
Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheezing. Asthma symptoms and attacks usually occur after exercise, exposure to allergens or irritants, or viral respiratory infections.Footnote 1 Risk factors for asthma include: family history of allergies high exposure to airborne allergens frequent respiratory infections early in life exposure to airborne irritants and low birth weight and respiratory distress syndrome .Footnote 2
In 2009-10, more than 2.4 million Canadians aged 12 years and over were living with asthma . While there are many effective approaches to asthma including clinical management, medication and self-care, optimal control of the condition remains elusive for a majority of Canadians living with asthma.
The Public Health Agency of Canada developed the 2011 Survey on Living with Chronic Diseases in Canada , which provides current information on how asthma affects Canadians. This survey, conducted by Statistics Canada, interviewed a nationally-representative sample of approximately 2,500 Canadians aged 12 years and older who reported having been diagnosed with asthma. Individuals experiencing both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were excluded.
At What Ages Are People Most Likely To Have Asthma
Recent figures show that young adults are the group most likely to have been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lifetime. Between 2004-12, lifetime prevalence of asthma has declined in children and increased in adults.
Number of people per 100,000 ever diagnosed with asthma, by age group, 200412
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How Many People Died From Asthma In Each Uk Region In 200812
England: Death rates for asthma in the West Midlands and the South East were higher than in other parts of the UK. The South West had the lowest asthma mortality rate.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: Asthma death rates were similar to the UK generally.
Asthma mortality ratios by UK regions, males and females, 200812
Relative risk of death from asthma, by local authority district , 200812
Relative risk is used in medical research to compare risk in different groups of people. In the maps we show the risk of an area relative to the average for Scotland, England and Wales. Here we show whether the group of people living in a particular area have a risk of dying from asthma that is lower or higher than the average. Because of the way relative risk is calculated there must always be some areas above average and some below average.
You can find out how these figures were calculated.
How Can I Create A Safer Environment For My Family
There are many ways to make your home more asthma- and allergy-friendly.
1. Avoid smoking around children and inside homes and cars. Chose a smoking jacket or other clothing used when smoking that you can remove before coming into contact with children. Also, refrain from using strong chemical-containing cleaning supplies or fragrances.
2. Chose pets without fur or feathers. If you have pets, wash them weekly and avoid having them on furniture, beds, and toys.
3. Dust often with a wet cloth and keep children away from the area as you dust. Wash bedspreads and linens once a week. If possible, buy dust-mite impermeable covers for mattresses and pillows.
4. To avoid pests, such as mice and cockroaches, dont leave food or crumbs laying out. Contact pest control if you have pests in your home.
5. Many foods can cause allergies, rashes, and asthma attacks. These include milk products, eggs, peanuts, peas, beans, nuts, chocolate, shellfish, and food additives, such as those in dried apricots or red wines. If there is a possible food allergy, refrain from eating those foods and contact your doctor right away.
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