Asthma

Asthma is a growing health problem in the United States, particularly in inner-city African-American and Latino populations. Asthma is a chronic lung disease .Allergic diseases, including asthma, are among the major causes of illness and disability in the United States. Illness and death from asthma have been increasing in this country for the past 15 years .

Although asthma is only slightly more prevalent among minority children than among whites, it accounts for three times the number of deaths. Low socioeconomic status, exposure to urban environmental contaminants, lack of access to medical care, and lack of self-management skills all contribute to the increase in deaths in minority communities.

The following statistics relate to the prevalence of Asthma:·Asthma affects 10-12% of adults in Australia (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)·Asthma affects 14-16% of children in Australia (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)·11.6% of population self-reported having asthma in Australia 2001 (ABS 2001 National Health Survey, Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)·10.5%

An asthma inhaler, used as a bronchodilator to con...

Asthma before-after

The prevalence of childhood asthma in the United S...

of male population self-reported having asthma in Australia 2001 (ABS 2001 National Health Survey, Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)·11.5 girls per 100 population under 14 have at some time been diagnosed with asthma in Australia 2001 (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)·12.6% of female population self-reported having asthma in Australia 2001 (ABS 2001 National Health Survey, Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)·12.9 women per 100 population over 15 have at some time been diagnosed with asthma in Australia 2001 (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)·15.1 boys per 100 population under 14 have at some time been diagnosed in Australia 2001 (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)·17.7 men per 100 population over 15 have at some time been diagnosed with asthma in Australia 2001 (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)·20.5 girls per 100 population under 14 have at some time been diagnosed with asthma in Australia 2001 (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)·21.4 women per 100 population over...