National

• Approximately 10.5 percent of adults in the year 2000. 1
• Between 1980 and 1996, the asthma rate increased 74%. 2
• Between 1980 and 1996, the number of school days and workdays missed due to asthma both increased more than 100%.  2 
• Between 1980 and 1998, the asthma death rate increased 41%. 2
• Between 1980 and 1999, the number of doctor visits for asthma increased 83%. 2
• Between 1980 and 1999, the number of hospitalizations due to asthma increased 17%.  The peak was in 1995, with numbers falling since then. 2
• Compared to non-Hispanic white children, African American children have a 44 percent higher rate of asthma attacks, are more than 4 times as likely to die from asthma, and are more than 3 times as likely to be hospitalized because of asthma.  3
• Blacks are nearly 3 times more likely to visit the ER, to be hospitalized, and to die because of asthma compared to whites with asthma. 2
• Children with asthma are 39% per more likely to have had an asthma attack in the past year than adults with asthma. 4
• Children with asthma are 27% and 37 % more likely to be hospitalized and to visit the emergency room, respectively, than adults. 4

1. "Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, 2000." 
2. Mannino et. al.  "Surveillance for Asthma - United States, 1980-1999."   Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC, 2002.
3. Akinbami and Schoendorf. "Trends in Childhood Asthma: Prevalence, Health Care Utilization, and Mortality." Pediatrics, Vol. 110 No. 2.  August 2002.
4. National Health Interview Survey, 1998 (Provided by Dr. Sandra Thomas, Chicago Department of Public Health.)