The Most Frequently Fatal of the 4-A Epidemics
THE ASTHMA EPIDEMIC
It Is Severe, And Becoming Worse As the Total Toxic Burden Mounts
Approximately 5,500 Americans die of asthma every year. Fatalities from asthma
are now twice as common as they were in 1980, despite advances in hospital
crisis care. The main reason for this is simply that during this period the incidence
of asthma tripled. In addition, more people have very serious cases of asthma.
Without question, we are in the depths of history’s worst epidemic of asthma, even
though the condition has been recognized since the time of the ancient Greeks.
The Greeks coined the term “asthma,” which also meant “oppression.”
THE SCOPE OF THE ASTHMA EPIDEMIC
- From 1980 to 2000, the number of doctor visits for asthma increased
almost 300%, from 6 million annually to 17.3 million.
- 20 million people in America have asthma.
- 6 million American children have asthma.
- In high-incidence zones, such as the Bronx, or Central Harlem in New
York, up to 25% of all children now have asthma.
- 40,000 people worldwide die from asthma each year, mostly in advanced,
industrialized nations.
- In very large regions of high incidence – including New Jersey, New
England, and New York – 12%-15% of all children have asthma.
- Each year, there are approximately 2 million emergency room visits for
asthma.
- Children who take antibiotics before age 4 have 400% more asthma than
- others.
- During spikes of air pollution, asthma hospitalizations generally increase
by 20%-30%.
- Approximately 40% of asthmatic adults have asthmatic children.
- Asthma now costs $11.5 billion annually in medical care. Workplaces with
indoor air pollution are a leading trigger of asthma.
- Asthma causes 14 million missed school days each year, and 12 million
missed work days.
- Almost 6% of all Americans have asthma.
The Epidemic Can Be Ended
Asthma Can Be Controlled
