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Youth health report card: asthma
1Division of Lung Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Insights
Childhood asthma affects 6% of U.S. children, with higher rates in inner cities. This chronic illness significantly impacts families, productivity, and healthcare resources, necessitating public health attention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Public Health
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory illness affecting a significant percentage of children in the United States.
- Inner-city populations exhibit even higher asthma prevalence rates, indicating a critical public health concern.
- The disease imposes substantial burdens on children, families, and societal resources, including lost work/school time and reduced productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significant public health challenge posed by childhood asthma in the U.S.
- To underscore the need for targeted interventions and improvements in asthma care for children.
- To align with national health objectives, such as those set by Healthy People 2000, for asthma management.
Main Methods:
- The abstract does not detail specific methodologies but refers to prevalence statistics and the recognized impact of asthma.
- It draws upon established public health frameworks and national health objectives to frame the issue.
- Information is based on epidemiological data regarding childhood asthma prevalence and its societal consequences.
Main Results:
- Approximately 6% of U.S. children under 18 have asthma, with disproportionately higher rates in urban settings.
- The disease results in considerable economic and social costs due to missed work and school days.
- Asthma contributes to increased stress on the healthcare system.
Conclusions:
- Childhood asthma is a major public health problem requiring focused attention and resources.
- National initiatives and research programs are essential for improving the health outcomes of children with asthma.
- Continued efforts are needed to address the prevalence and impact of asthma in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Asthma is a serious, chronic illness among U.S. children. Approximately 6% of all children under 18 years of age in the United States suffer from asthma--prevalence rates in our inner cities are even higher. The impact this disease has on children, their families, and society is profound and easily translatable into loss of time at work and school, a concomitant loss of productivity, and added stress to an already overburdened health care system. Recognizing the significance of asthma as a serious public health problem, Healthy People 2000 has targeted improvements in asthma care as one of its objectives and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has research and education programs to improve the health of our children with asthma.