Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can start at any age. It is considered one of the most common long-term diseases among children.
Asthma is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction caused by exposure to “asthma triggers” that results in inflammation of the airways, where the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swell. There is no known cure for asthma; however, steps can be taken to manage it, including removing environmental triggers that can make asthma worse.
Environmental triggers include tobacco smoke, air pollutants, and allergy-causing substances such as pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, and pollens and molds. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, stress, and food or drug allergies.
Get the Facts
- It is deadly! Approximately nine people die from asthma each day.
- In 2019, 10.1% of Missouri adults reported a current asthma diagnosis.
- It is estimated that 30% of asthma attacks are triggered by outdoor air pollution.
- In the past decade, the number of people with asthma in the United States has risen by 15%.
- In adults, women are more likely to have asthma than men.
Asthma Data Queries
Asthma hospitalization and emergency department (ED) visit data are available from Missouri’s Environmental Public Health Tracking data query tool. These data provide information on the numbers and rates of visits for asthma. The query tool allows users to select data by age group, geography, and other variables. Asthma hospitalization and ED visit data are also available from the CDC Tracking Network Data Explorer.
Learn more about the data, including sources, calculations, suggested uses and limitations.
Asthma Prevalence Data
Asthma prevalence data are estimated numbers of individuals diagnosed with asthma. Estimates are determined from surveys, including the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, and statistical modeling. Asthma prevalence data are available for various time periods and geographic areas.
Asthma prevalence data are available from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the CDC Tracking Network Data Explorer.
County level estimates of asthma prevalence among adults in 2018
Census tract level estimates of asthma prevalence among adults in 2018
Missouri Tracking's Maps of Asthma and Related Factors
The Missouri Environmental Public Health Tracking program’s maps of Asthma and Related Factors displays county-level rates of hospitalizations and emergency department visits for asthma, air quality data, and smoking rates.
Using the Data
Asthma and related data are used to:
- identify populations at increased risk of suffering from asthma
- identify and monitor changes in risk and trends over time
- direct resources and outreach efforts for preventing and controlling the disease
- monitor progress towards lowering asthma risks
Share with the Environmental Public Health Tracking program how you are using or plan to use the data.
Reports and Data Files
- Economic Burden of the Environment: Asthma and Lead Poisoning in Missouri Children
- Data & Statistical Reports on Asthma
Additional Resources
- Missouri’s Asthma Prevention and Control
- CDC Environmental Public Health Tracking Network – Asthma
- CDC National Asthma Control Program