The Asthma Epidemic in America
Posted on July 5, 2005
MSNBC.com reports that doctors are battling what many call an asthma epidemic. 20 million Americans now suffer from asthma and many of them are children. 12.5% of all children now suffer from asthma according to information from the U.S. Surgeon General, American Lung Association and CDC. 12 people die from asthma every single day. There is no cure for asthma but experts believe that asthma-related deaths and hospital visits can be reduced if more people are informed about proper asthma care and asthma triggers in homes, schools and workplaces are reduced.
The article says the EPA found fewer than 30% of asthma suffers take simple steps that could help reduce exposure to triggers like cockroaches, dust mites and scondhand smoke.
Experts believe that by helping patients manage their asthma more effectively and keeping them out of the ER, they could save the health care system more than $500 million each year. The ultimate goal: Cutting asthma-related hospitalizations by 50,000 over the next five years.A fact sheet on asthma from the American Lung Association can be found here and the CDC's asthma resource can be found here.