Health officials say U.S. asthma rates may be falling
Key points
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 17.2 deaths from asthma for every 1 million people in 1999.
- The rate of hospitalizations from asthma rose from 15.7 for every 10,000 people in 1998 to 17.6 in 1999.
- David Mannino, a CDC epidemiologist, said it was too early to say asthma rates were indeed declining.
- The agency also cautioned that the numbers may be skewed because the survey the agency used to collect asthma data was changed slightly in 1997.
ATLANTA (April 04, 2002 9:51 p.m. EST) - Asthma rates in the United States may be leveling off or even declining after rising steadily since the 1980s, federal health officials announced Thursday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 17.2 deaths from asthma for every 1 million people in 1999. Between 1995 and 1998, the rate was between 20 and 22.
The rate of hospitalizations from asthma rose from 15.7 for every 10,000 people in 1998 to 17.6 in 1999. That figure hovered near 20 over the 1980s and early 1990s.
Dr. David Mannino, a CDC epidemiologist, said it was too early to say asthma rates were indeed declining. However, he said people have become more aware of the chronic respiratory ailment and are getting earlier and better treatment.
The agency also cautioned that the numbers may be skewed because the survey the agency used to collect asthma data was changed slightly in 1997.
Blacks were 14 percent more likely than whites to have had an asthma attack in the 12 months before the study was taken. Mannino said that fact likely was related to gaps in health care access.
About 15 million American adults suffer from asthma, marked by wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and tightness of the chest.
The Associated Press
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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