Asthma Practice Essentials
Medscape
Asthma Resources for Healthcare Providers
What is asthma?
- Asthma is a chronic disease that causes inflammation and bronchoconstriction in the airways.
- This results in coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
- Patients can live a normal life if adequate asthma control is maintained.
What triggers asthma?
- Respiratory infections
- Environmental allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, mold, and pet dander
- Smoke or sudden temperature changes
- Strong emotions like laughter or crying
- Intense exercise
Can asthma be cured?
- Asthma is a chronic condition.
- While it cannot be cured, it can be well controlled with proper treatment and often improves with time.
Asthma in the Hispanic Population
- 6.4% of Hispanic people have asthma
- Puerto Ricans have twice the asthma rate when compared with the overall Hispanic population
- Hispanics are twice as likely to visit the emergency department for asthma than non-Hispanic whites
- Hispanic children are 40% more likely to die from asthma compared to non-Hispanic whites
Structural Barriers to Care
- Latinos who prefer to communicate in Spanish received fewer asthma diagnoses in community health centers in the United States compared to Latino patients who prefer to communicate in English
- Latinos received a diagnosis of asthma less frequently the first day they presented with symptoms compared to white non-Latino patients
More than 1 in 10 Americans have had asthma at some point of their lives, leading to over 2 million trips to the emergency room every year. In cases like these, for example, Latino children have a 40% higher risk of dying from asthma compared to non-Hispanic white children.
Every day, due to asthma:
- 30,000 people have an asthma attack
- 5,000 people visit the emergency room
- 1,000 people are admitted to the hospital
- 11 people die
Educational Resources for Providers
Asthma Control During Travel
Medscape
Measures to Identify and Track Racial Disparities in Childhood Asthma
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Asthma Disparities in Hispanic Populations Infographic
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
The 15-Minute Asthma Visit (Video)
Medscape
Asthma Basics Module
American Lung Association
What is the difference between rescue and control asthma medications?
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology