Asthma Rates In US Kids Falling, But Racial Disparities Remain

Data from National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reveal that the number of children affected by asthma in the United States has stabilized after rising for decades, and may have started falling. A study, published in the journal Pediatrics, analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey between 2001 and 2013 for children aged 17 and under.

"That was a big surprise," says Lara Akinbami of the National Center for Health Statistics. "We were expecting the increase to kind of continue. But in fact we saw the opposite."

The percentage of U.S. children with asthma doubled in the 1980s and 1990s and had been increasing steadily since then. The reason for the increase has remained mysterious, but there may be many possible factors, including exposure to secondhand smoke, obesity and children's immune systems failing to develop properly.

Analysis of the data showed that age group, poverty status (poor, near-poor and non-poor), race/ethnicity and geographic location were significant factors affecting the prevalence of asthma. Similar rates of affliction were found among 5- to 9-year-olds and 10- to 17-year-olds, but 0- to 4-year-olds showed fewer incidences of asthma. Prevalence was found to increase significantly among poor children, but was at similar levels for near-poor and non-poor children, according to the National Public Radio (NPR) report.

The reason for the shift remains as mysterious as the rise. One possibility is that the proportion of children who are genetically susceptible to asthma may have peaked, Akinbami says. Regardless of the cause, other experts are welcoming the trend.

"It is good news for kids," says Stephen Teach, chairman of pediatrics at the Children's National Health System in Washington, D.C. In addition to deaths and hospitalizations, asthma attacks cause children to miss school and their parents to miss work. "It's an economic and health care drag on our system and our potential for children to develop," Teach says.

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For example, while U.S. air quality has generally improved from decades ago, children whose schools are built near congested expressways may not be benefiting. And while U.S. smoking rates have fallen, a warming climate may prolong growing seasons and kids' exposure to pollen. Akinbami called the study overall good news since rates are down or mostly stable.

Source-Medindia