Youth health report card: asthma

V S Taggart1, R Fulwood

  • 1Division of Lung Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.

Preventive Medicine
|July 1, 1993
PubMed

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.

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