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Asthma In the United States and Michigan

Quick Facts:  

  • Asthma has increased over time in the United States.  In 1980, 3.1 out of 100 people had asthma.  By 1994, 5.4 out of 100 people had asthma.  This is an increase of 75 percent (MMWR, 1998).  
  • The largest increase in asthma was in children age 4 or younger.  In 1980, 2.2 out of 100 young children had asthma.  In 1994, 5.8 out of 100 young children had asthma.  The rate increased by 160 percent (MMWR, 1998).  
  • The number of children ages 5 to 14 with asthma increased by 75 percent.  In 1980, 4.3 out of 100 children had asthma.  In 1994, 7.4 out of 100 children had asthma (MMWR, 1998).  
  • Asthma does not affect all people in the same way.  The burden of asthma is greater among blacks, adult women, and boys.  
  • 10.6 million people in this country have an asthma attack each year (NCHS, 2001). 
  • The asthma attack rate is higher in children than in adults.  5.3 out of 100 children have an asthma attack each year.  3.9 out of 100 adults have an asthma attack each year (NCHS, 2001). 
  • The asthma attack rate is higher among blacks than whites or Hispanics (NCHS, 2001).  5.0 out of 100 blacks have an asthma attack each year.  3.9 out of 100 whites and 3.6 out of 100 Hispanics have an asthma attack each year. 
  • Blacks also have higher rates of hospital stays and death due to asthma. These rates are three times higher in blacks than in whites in the United States (MMWR, 1998). 

 

National Goals for Asthma 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed goals for the nation’s health.  These goals are in a report called "Healthy People 2010" which can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.  In this report, the CDC recommends specific actions to improve asthma in the United States:  

  • Reduce asthma deaths (deaths per million people)       

Age Group  Baseline 2010 Target
Under age 5 years  2.1 1.0
5-14 years 3.3  1.0
15-34 years    5.0 2.0
35-64 years  17.8  9.0
65 years and older  86.3 60.0

  • Reduce hospitalizations for asthma (hospitalizations per 10,000 people)

Age Group Baseline 2010 Target
Under age 5 years 45.6 25.0
5-64 years 12.5 7.7
65 years and older 17.7 11.0

  • Reduce emergency room visits for asthma (visits per 10,000 people)

Age Group Baseline 2010 Target
Under age 5 years 150.0  80
5 to 64 years 71.1 50
65 years and older 29.5 15

  • Reduce the number of people with asthma with limited activity.  Reduce the number from 20 to 10 out of 100 people with asthma.

  • Reduce the number of school and/or workdays missed due to asthma.

  • Increase the number of people with asthma who get asthma education.  Increase the number from 8.4 to 30.0 out of 100 people with asthma.

  • Increase the number of people with asthma who get asthma care as suggested by national guidelines.  This would include increases in:

  • Use of written management plans

  • Instruction on use of inhalers

  • Prescription of proper medication

  • Follow up medical care after any hospitalization due to asthma

  • Assistance with avoiding environmental triggers at home, school, and work

 

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