Improving Childhood Asthma Outcomes in the United States. A Blueprint for Policy Action
Abstract
Almost everyone knows a child with asthma. Although asthma is a treatable disease, too many children with asthma suffer unnecessarily. Some even die. Yet children whose asthma is properly controlled can lead fully active lives, with minimal symptoms. The number of persons with asthma in the United States has doubled in the past 15 years. Children are the most affected: An estimated 5 million children under 15 years old have this disease. The cases of asthma in children under 5 years old increased more than 160 percent between 1980 and 1994. For children ages 5 to 14, the increase was 74 percent. Asthma is more common among children who are poor, African American, or Puerto Rican. The disease has serious economic consequences. Asthma cost an estimated $10.7 billion in 1994---more than half of it for direct medical expenses, the rest for indirect costs associated with school and work days lost, as well as with premature mortality. A significant portion of the medical expenses was for tertiary care, such as hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Medical care for asthma has improved significantly. Effective primary care can help children with asthma to lead fully functional lives and prevent costly hospitalizations. Yet the human and financial costs of childhood asthma continue to grow.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA403849
Entities
People
- Barbara Genovese
- Marielena Lara
- Mary E. Vaiana
- Sally Morton
- Will Nicholas
Organizations
- RAND Corporation