Asthma

All people.

Deaths with International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes J45-J46 as the underlying cause of death among residents during a calendar year.

Midyear resident population for the same calendar year.

Mortality rate (crude and age-adjusted); number [cases per 100,000].

Calendar year.

The asthma mortality rate was 10.8 per million among all persons during 2016–2018.¹ During 2006–2018, the asthma mortality rates overall and among adults decreased significantly, while rates among children remained stable.¹ Asthma mortality rates differ significantly by demographic characteristics. For example, in 2016–2018, the rate was higher among Black persons and significantly lower among Asian persons and Hispanic persons than among White persons.¹ The rate was also higher among females than males.¹ The majority of the problems associated with asthma are preventable if the condition is managed according to established guidelines. Effective management includes control of exposure to factors that trigger exacerbations, adequate pharmacologic management, continual monitoring of the disease, and patient education in asthma care. With proper management, deaths from asthma are theoretically preventable.^2,3

None.

National Vital Statistics System (NVSS).

None.

None.

Pate CA, Zahran HS, Qin X, Johnson C, Hummelman E, Malilay J. Asthma Surveillance — United States, 2006–2018. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2021;70(5):1–32. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.ss7005a1

Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, US Department of Health and Human Services; 2007.

Cloutier MM, Baptist AP, Blake KV, et al. 2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines: a report from the national asthma education and prevention program coordinating committee expert panel working group. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;146(6):1217–1270.

All people.

Adults who answer “yes” to both the question, “Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you have asthma?” and the question, “Do you still have asthma?”.

All adults.

Annual prevalence (crude and age-adjusted).

Calendar year.

Overall, the number of U.S. adults who currently have asthma increased from 14.0 million (6.9%) in 2001¹ to 21.0 million (8.4%) in 2020.² In 2020, the prevalence of current asthma was highest among adults below 100% of the poverty threshold (13.1%).² The prevalence of current asthma was highest among non-Hispanic multiracial adults (14.4%) followed by non-Hispanic Black persons (11.4%).³ Among states and territories, estimates of adult current asthma prevalence in 2020 ranged from 5.0% in Guam to 12.4% in West Virginia.² Compared to persons without asthma, persons with asthma are more likely to report depression,^4-7 be unemployed, spend more days sick in bed, and have limitations or inability to conduct normal work.⁸ There is no cure for asthma, and it requires ongoing medical management.^9-10

None.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

None.

None.

National Center for Environmental Health. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Data (2022). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2001. https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/nhis/default.htm

National Center for Environmental Health (2022). Most Recent National Asthma Data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/most_recent_data_states.htm

National Center for Environmental Health. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Surveillance Data (2022). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2001. https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/brfss/default.htm

King ME. Serious psychological distress and asthma. In: Preedy VR. Scientific Basis of Healthcare. Science Publishers; 2012:86-107.

Strine TW, Mokdad AH, Balluz LS, et al. Depression and anxiety in the United States: findings from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Psychiatr Serv. 2008;59:1383-1390.

Chapman DP, Perry GS, Strine TW. The vital link between chronic disease and depressive disorders. Prev Chronic Dis. 2005;2:A14.

Scott KM, Von Korff M, Ormel J, et al. Mental disorders among adults with asthma: results from the World Mental Health Survey. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2007;29(2):123-33. doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2006.12.006

Sullivan PW, Ghushchyan VH, Slejko JF, et al. The burden of adult asthma in the United States: evidence from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Feb;127(2):363-369.e1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.10.042.

Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, US Department of Health and Human Services; 2007.

Cloutier MM, Baptist AP, Blake KV, et al. 2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines: a report from the national asthma education and prevention program coordinating committee expert panel working group. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;146(6):1217-1270. Erratum in: J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2021;147(4):1528-1530. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.10.003