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Introduction
What Can I Do About My Asthma?
FOCUS: Asthma in Children
Useful Links
Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, and its prevalence rate has been steadily increasing over time. Childhood asthma is of a great concern to public health professionals. However, many adults also suffer from asthma. The American Lung Association estimates that in 2003 there were at least 20 million Americans living with asthma. According to the Pew Environmental Health Commission (PEHC), asthma has been designated as a top priority health outcome for tracking efforts. This is evidenced in Pennsylvania, because asthma is a priority for the EPHT team.
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What Can I Do About My Asthma?
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the following steps:
1. Talk to your doctor to receive information on what may trigger an asthma attack, and to obtain information on the medications that are available.
2. Make an Asthma Action Plan, in order to control asthma attacks.
3. Remove asthma triggers from the home because asthma can be triggered by a variety of allergens, such as dust mites, mold, and secondhand smoke.
Visit the following website for more detailed information on the above three steps or to find helpful information on how to remove asthma attack triggers from the home: No Attacks
FOCUS: Asthma in Children
Asthma rates in United States children between the ages of 5 and 17 have steadily been increasing from 1980 to 1996. Asthma affects about 7% of children under the age of 18, in the United States. This equates to 8 out of every 100 children in the United States being diagnosed with asthma. Over the past six years, childhood asthma has cost over three billion dollars in medical costs and an annual loss of over 10 million school days for school children. This makes asthma the leading cause of school absenteeism, nationally. Within Pennsylvania, 9 out of every 100 children suffer from asthma.
A site designed for parents of kids with asthma. There are also links to help kids understand their asthma better.
Useful Links:
A brief overview on asthma, from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
This site contains useful information on asthma in both adults and children and ways in which the disease can be managed.
This site, maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contains general and scientific information regarding asthma.
The US Department of Health and Human Services provides a general overview of asthma in an easy to understand manner.
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