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Status of childhood asthma in the United States, 1980-2007

Lara J Akinbami1, Jeanne E Moorman, Paul L Garbe

  • 1National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3311 Toledo Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20895, USA. lakinbami@cdc.gov

Pediatrics
|February 18, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Childhood asthma prevalence increased significantly until 1997, then plateaued. Despite decreasing healthcare use, racial disparities persist, highlighting the need for ongoing asthma control efforts in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Public Health Epidemiology
  • Health Disparities Research

Background:

  • Childhood asthma prevalence showed substantial increases from 1980 to 1996.
  • Following new measures in 1997, prevalence stabilized at high levels, with 9.1% of US children affected in 2007.
  • Asthma trends varied by age, gender, and race, necessitating detailed analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in childhood asthma prevalence and healthcare utilization from 1980 to 2007.
  • To examine recent patterns of asthma across different demographic groups (gender, race, age).
  • To identify and characterize racial disparities in asthma-related adverse outcomes among children.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • Analyzed period prevalence, ambulatory care visits, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and death rates.
  • Examined trends and recent patterns stratified by age (0-17 years), gender, and race/ethnicity.

Main Results:

  • Asthma prevalence increased 4.6% annually from 1980-1996, then plateaued at 9.1% in 2007.
  • Emergency department visits and hospitalizations slightly decreased, while ambulatory care visits fluctuated.
  • Non-Hispanic black children faced higher risks for emergency visits and death compared to non-Hispanic white children, even after controlling for prevalence differences.

Conclusions:

  • While the rapid increase in childhood asthma has stopped, the overall burden remains significant.
  • Persistent racial disparities in adverse asthma outcomes require targeted interventions.
  • Sustained prevention and control strategies are crucial for addressing childhood asthma challenges.

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