Asthma Statistics
Asthma occurs in people of all ages, ethnicities, and genders, but there are some populations where asthma prevalence is more common.
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that inflames and narrows the airways. This causes periods of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. People who have asthma may experience symptoms that range from mild to severe and may happen rarely or every day. When symptoms get worse, it is called an asthma attack. Asthma affects people of all ages and often starts during childhood. Knowing “what is asthma” is the first step towards management.
The goal of asthma management is to achieve control with an Asthma Action Plan. An Asthma Action Plan includes monitoring, avoiding triggers, and using medicines.
Asthma Statistics with References
- 28 MILLION people living in the U.S. have asthma
- 1 in 12 U.S. school-aged children have asthma
- $81.9 BILLION annual healthcare costs
- 3,733 DEATHS in 2023
- Black Americans are 3X more likely to die from asthma than non-Hispanic white people.
- 13.8 MILLION missed school days per year due to asthma
- #1 reason kids miss school
- 1 in 3 adults (about 30%) report missed work days due to asthma
- 50% of adults under 65 report cost barriers to asthma care
- 50-80% of patients use incorrect inhaler technique
- $3,290 YEARLY per-person medical costs for uncontrolled asthma
Are there other conditions that may look like asthma or complicate asthma?
There are other types of respiratory conditions that are different than asthma. The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment can vary depending upon the condition. Here are some of them.
