Prevalence in California In 2010, 13.1% of adults and 12.5% of children had been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lives (lifetime asthma); 7.9% of adults and 7.4% of children had current asthma. Each year, there are an estimated 187,700 new cases of asthma in California approximately 93,150 among adults and 96,550 among children.
Full Answer
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent episodes of breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness, called exacerbations. Exacerbations can be triggered by exposures and conditions such as respiratory infections, house dust mites, animal dander, mold, pollen, exercise, tobacco smoke, and indoor and outdoor air pollutants. Although there is no cure for asthma, exacerbations can be reduced with appropriate management, which includes proper use of medications and provision of a healthy physical environment.
The burden of asthma is greater among people who live in areas with lower median incomes, and this disparity is not explained by higher asthma prevalence. Although asthma prevalence does not differ much by income level, the rate of asthma hospitalization and ED visits is four times higher for people living in areas where the median household income is $20,000 or less compared to those living in areas where the median household income is more than $100,000 (pp.118, 134). Those in lower income areas are also more likely to have repeat asthma hospitalizations (p.141). In addition, adults are less likely to have well controlled asthma if they have lower household incomes or report cost barriers to receive medical care. (p. 53, 54)