Environmental Health Center
A periodic resource for environmental, science and health journalists
Childhood Asthma: On the Rise
Asthma is the most common chronic health problem among children in the U.S., and it is on the increase. Asthma is a chronic disease in which airflow in and out of the lungs is restricted by muscle squeezing, swelling, and excess mucus.
Key Statistics/Facts
- Number of asthma-related deaths among 5- to 14-year-olds increased 88% between 1980 and 1993; among 0- to 4-year-olds the increase was 6%
- Asthma is the leading chronic illness among children in the U.S., affecting about 5 million children
- Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness
- Hospital admissions among 1-4 year olds increased by 57% between 1980 and 1992
- An estimated $14 billion a year will be spent on asthma-related health care costs by the year 2000
- 75% to 85% of asthmatics also have allergies
Who is Affected?
Approximately 10% of children have symptoms consistent with asthma. Some people are born with a predisposition toward developing asthma. However, actual triggers of the disease vary from person to person. Triggers can include:
- Respiratory infections caused by common cold viruses
- Secondhand tobacco smoke
- Air pollution such as ozone and sulfur dioxide
- Allergens -- cockroaches, pollen, dust, mold, and pets
- Cold, damp weather and abrupt weather changes
- Indoor pollutants -- paint, cleaning materials, chemicals, and perfumes
- Some medications including aspirin
- Exercise and emotional anxiety
Children whose parents smoke are twice as likely to develop asthma as children of nonsmoking parents.
Health Effects
Children with asthma have attacks of coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, which may be very serious. However, infants and small children may not show the usual signs of asthma. Instead, it may appear as rapid respiration, noisy breathing, and chest congestion. Early warning signs include:
- Fatigue
- Persistent coughing
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness in the chest
- Itchy throat
- Change in the thickness, amount, or color of mucus
Recurrent or constant coughing spells may be the only common observable symptom of asthma in young children.
Treatment and Prevention
- Measure/monitor lung function
- Control of environmental triggers
- Medication (to reduce inflammation, relax airway muscle)
- Patient (and family) education
Preventive Actions
- Do not allow smoking indoors; never allow smoking around someone with asthma
- Stay indoors when pollen count or ozone levels are high
- Keep home humidity levels between 25% and 50%
- Keep house clean to reduce allergens; dust and vacuum frequently; try to eliminate cockroaches
- Stop exercise if child wheezes or is short of breath
- Develop (with physician) asthma management plan that includes prevention, early intervention, and crisis response
Story Ideas
- Explore the use and effectiveness of asthma action plans in local schools and child care centers
- During air quality alerts, check with hospitals, pediatricians, or pharmacists for increases in asthma-related admissions, visits, or medication use
- Feature local sports heroes with asthma
- Highlight asthma attack emergency response actions
- Identify local seasonal triggers
Sources of Additional Information:
| For a 50-page Journalist’s Resource Guide on Childhood Asthma and Air Pollution, call RTNDF, (202) 467-5206, michellet@rtndf.org. |
The Environmental Issues Bulletin is produced by the National Safety Council’s Environmental Health Center for the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation. For copies of other Environmental Issues Bulletins, contact RTNDF at (202) 467-5206.
Comments, questions, tips? Contact us by e-mail: ehc@nsc.org or colonyb@rtndf.org
Produced by:
Environmental Health Center
Radio and Television News Directors Foundation
Environmental Health Center
A Division of the National Safety Council
1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1200,
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 293-2270 (tel); (202) 293-0032 (fax)
