The Greater Sacramento Region is a long standing national asthma hot spot. On May 3, 2011 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2011 asthma trends in the United States. The national results have local implications.
The CDC used data from the National Health Interview Surveys collected between 2001-2009. Respondents were considered to have current asthma if they answered "yes" to both of the following questions.
- "Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that [you/your child] had asthma?"
- "Do [you/your child] still have asthma?"
Key national asthma data as follows:
National Asthma Prevalence - the total number of asthma cases in a US population between 2001-2009:
- High prevalence - 8.2% of all Americans are asthmatics (24.6 million people).
- Increasing prevalence - 12.3% increase from 2001 to 2009.
- Everyone impacted - children (8.7% to 9.6%), adults (6.9% to 7.7%).
National Asthma Attacks - asthmatics experiencing uncontrolled asthma symptoms in the past 12 months:
- Lots of asthma attacks - 41.8% (4.6 million) had asthma attack.
- Asthma attacks cause absences - average 4.5 missed days of work or school per year.
- Asthma attacks trigger hospital visits - 26% emergency room; 7% admitted to hospital.
- Poor health and more asthma attacks - 24.8% asthmatics in poor or fair health had attack
- Good health and fewer asthma attacks - 17.9% asthmatics in good health had attack
National Yearly Asthma Costs - $56 billion total yearly costs in 2009 dollars:
- Total cost of asthma to society including medical expenses - $50.1 billion per year.
- Loss of productivity - $3.8 billion per year.
- Premature death - $2.1 billion per year.
- Asthma medical costs per person per year - $3,259.
- Increase in costs - $3 billion from 2002 (5.7%).
The national asthma data has implication for asthma in the Greater Sacramento Region.
See more articles by Frank Hagie on asthma in the Greater Sacramento Region.
First, asthma prevalence is higher locally. Asthma prevalence in the Greater Sacramento Region has been reported as 14.8% for adults and children. For adults, local rate is more than 7% higher than national adult asthma prevalence (14.% versus 7.7%) For children, local rate is more than 5% higher (14.8% versus 9.6%)
Second, frequency of asthma attacks is slightly lower locally. National frequency of 41.8% versus local rate of 35% for adults and 38% for children.
Third, yearly asthma medical costs in the Greater Sacramento Region totals almost $1 billion dollars. With prevalence at 14.8%, in a population of approximately 2,000,000 people, and an average per asthmatic yearly medical cost of $3,259.
Fourth, asthma worsens while outdoor air quality improves.
The CDC study demonstrates worsening US asthma for the time period 2001-2009. During this time period, the US Environmental Protection Agency reports that US outdoor air quality has improved, dramatically so in many areas. Also reductions for cigarette smoking and exposure to second hand smoke.
Two variables previously reported here (extensively) likely explain these results.
- Worsening indoor air pollution at home triggering asthma onset and symptoms
- Worsening rates of obesity across all demographic groups as asthma risk factor
The May 3rd CDC report, press release. and press briefing are informative. For better understanding asthma nationally and in our local Greater Sacramento Region.
Comments