Meredith G. Hennon, MPH

and the Supercourse

team in Pittsburgh

Background

Asthma is a chronic lung-disease that inflames and narrows the airways (tubes that bring air into and out of an individual’s lungs).

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of asthma include:CoughingWheezingTightness in the chestShortness of breath

Causes

While the exact cause of asthma is not known, it is thought that a variety of factors interacting with one another, early in life, result in the development of asthma.

Causes

Parents with asthma Atopy Childhood respiratory infections Exposure to allergens or infections while

the immune system is developing

Diagnosis

Based on:Medical historyPhysical examinationTest results

Asthma Triggers

A variety of things can cause asthma symptoms to appear:

○ Allergens○ Irritants○ Food and drinks○ Medicines○ Physical activity○ Upper respiratory infections (viral)

Asthma prevalence

In the United States:More females than males have asthma.Blacks and American Indian/Alaska natives

have higher percentages of asthma than Whites, Hispanics, and Asians.

Asthma prevalence, 2005

Lifetime asthma diagnosis, 2005

Asthma disparities

Death from asthma is 3 times more likely to occur among Blacks than Whites.

Among adults, women of all races have higher rates of illness and death from asthma than men.

Rates of hospitalization for asthma for Blacks are almost triple those for Whites.

Number of asthma deaths per 100,000 population, 2003

Increasing rates

Asthma rates have been increasing in the United States for both adults and children, males and females, and in the different races and ethnicities.

It is estimated that the number of people with asthma worldwide will increase by 25% in the next 15 years.

Child and Adult Asthma PrevalenceUnited States, 1980-2007

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Year

Pre

vale

nce

(%)

12-Month

Lifetime• Child

Adult

Source: National Health Interview Survey; CDC National Center for Health Statistics

Current

Asthma Prevalence by SexUnited States, 1980-2007

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1980

1982

1984

1986

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006 Year

Pre

vale

nce

(%)

12-Month

Lifetime• Female

Male

Source: National Health Interview Survey; CDC National Center for Health Statistics

Current

Asthma Prevalence by Race/EthnicityUnited States, 1997-2007

02468

1012141618

Year

Pre

vale

nce

(%) Lifetime

Current

▲ Black NH

White NH

Hispanic

Source: National Health Interview Survey; National Center for Health Statistics

Worldwide Burden of Asthma 300 million people suffer from asthma

worldwide.

255,000 asthma deaths in 2005.○ ~3,500 in the United States.

Over 80% of asthma deaths occur in low and lower-middle income countries.

Treatment

While asthma cannot be cured, it can be controlled:Medications

○ Long term○ Quick relief○ Bronchial thermoplasty

Learning to recognize one’s own triggers and taking steps to avoid them.

Treatment

MedicationLong term

○ Inhaled corticosteroid○ Leukotriene modifiers○ Long-acting beta agonists○ Combination inhalers

TreatmentQuick relief (rescue) medications

○ Short-acting beta agonists○ Ipratropium○ Oral and intravenous corticosteroids

Bronchial thermoplastyRecognizing, tracking, and avoiding triggers

Review Questions (Developed by the Supercourse team)

What are some of the common asthma triggers?

Which age, sex, and/or racial groups see disparities in asthma prevalence rates, as well as hospitalizations and deaths?

Describe the process of asthma diagnosis.