Asthma Statistics

• Asthma affects more than 20 million adults in the United States.
  
  
• Over 9 million U.S. children have been diagnosed with asthma.
  
  
• Asthma is the most prevalent chronic condition in children.
  
  
• Asthma is the most common cause of hospitalization for children under the age of 15.
  
  
• Between 70% and 80% of people with asthma also suffer from allergies.
  
  
• More than 10 million Americans suffer specifically from allergic asthma.
  
  
• Asthma causes nearly two million emergency room visits, over 500,000 hospitalizations, and about 5,500 deaths each year.
  
  
• The prevalence of asthma increased 75% from 1980-1994.
  
  
• Asthma rates in children under 5 have increased more than 160% from 1980-1994.
  
  
• Asthma costs Americans over $16 billion a year.
  
  
• Nearly 15 million school days are missed annually due to asthma.
  
  
• Asthma accounts for about 25 million missed work days annually.
  
  
• Asthma prevalence is 39% higher in African Americans than in whites.
  
  
• In 2003, the prevalence of asthma in adult females was 35% greater than rates in males.
  
  
• It is estimated that 80% of asthma deaths could be prevented with proper asthma education.
  
  
• Genetics play a role in the development of asthma. If one parent has asthma, each child has a 1 in 3 chance of developing asthma. If both parents have asthma, chances rise to 7 in 10.