Asthma in United States

United States

Asthma is a serious chronic disease that affects the lungs. Asthma can cause symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing and coughing. Common asthma triggers include tobacco smoke, dust mites, outdoor air pollution, pets and mold. Risk factors for asthma include having allergies, childhood respiratory infections and family history of asthma. A person can be diagnosed with asthma at any point in their life. 

Asthma is associated with 14.2 million lost work days among adults every year. A study estimated that asthma cost the United States $81.9 billion in medical costs and missed school or work days in 2013. 

According to America’s Health Rankings data, the prevalence of asthma is higher among:

• Women compared with men.
• Adults ages 45-64 compared with adults ages 65 and older and adults ages 18-44. 
• Multiracial, American Indian/Alaska Native and Black adults compared with Asian adults.
• Adults with less than a high school education or some post-high school education compared with college graduates. 
• Adults with an annual household income less than $25,000 compared with those with higher income levels.
• Adults who live in non-metropolitan areas compared with those who live in metropolitan areas.
• Adults who have difficulty with self-care compared with adults without a disability.
• LGBQ+ adults compared with straight adults.
• Adults who have not served compared to adults who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

Additionally, the Asthma Disparities in America report found that:

• Puerto Ricans have the highest prevalence of asthma of any racial/ethnic group. 
• Deaths due to asthma are higher in Black and Puerto Rican populations compared with white populations. 

A doctor can determine if a person has asthma by asking questions about their breathing and family history. The doctor might perform a spirometry test to see how well the lungs are working. Asthma can be controlled by following your doctor’s advice and avoiding asthma triggers. Sometimes, an allergist is required to better manage symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology has a tool to help find an allergist. 

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps found that having a professional perform a healthy home environment assessment reduces exposures to allergens, improves air quality and leads to better asthma management. 

Healthy People 2030 has multiple objectives related to respiratory disease, including: 

• Reducing asthma deaths.
• Reducing asthma attacks.
• Reducing hospitalizations for asthma.

Nurmagambetov, Tursynbek, Robin Kuwahara, and Paul Garbe. “The Economic Burden of Asthma in the United States, 2008–2013.” Annals of the American Thoracic Society 15, no. 3 (March 2018): 348–56. https://doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.201703-259OC.