Asthma in New York State
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects an estimated 16.4 million adults (aged ≥ 18 years)1 and 7.0 million children (aged< 18
years)1 in the United States (U.S.), regardless of age, sex, race, or ethnicity. Although the exact cause of asthma is unknown and it
cannot be cured, it can be controlled with self-management education, appropriate medical care, and avoiding exposure to
environmental triggers. The following data provide an overview of the burden of asthma in New York State (NY) compared with the
U.S. All stated comparisons (e.g., higher, lower, similar) indicate that the group is statistically significantly different than the
reference group (e.g., adults aged 18-24 years, men, non-Hispanic whites, children aged 15-17 years, and boys).
Asthma Prevalence
In 2008, an estimated 1,293,638 adults in New York State had
asthma. Adult lifetime asthma prevalence was 14.1% and
adult current asthma prevalence was 8.8% compared with
U.S. rates of 13.3% and 8.5%, respectively2.
Adult Current Asthma Prevalence by Age, BRFSS, 2008
18
NYS
In 2008, an estimated 475,303 children in New York State had
asthma. Child lifetime asthma prevalence was 16.1% and child
current asthma prevalence was 10.8% compared with the 38
participating states’ rates of 13.3% and 9.0%, respectively2.
Child Current Asthma Prevalence by Age, BRFSS, 2008
18
U.S.
38 States
15
11.6
10.2
9
12
7.2
9.0
8.2
7.8
8.6 8.5
9.7
9.0
7.7 8.0
Percent
Percent
12
NYS
15.7
15
11.6
10.6
10.4
6
6
3
3
0
10.1
8.7
9
6.4
5.7
0
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 +
0-4
5-9
10-14
15-17
Adult current asthma prevalence was similar among all age groups
when compared with adults aged 18-24 years in New York; however, the
rate was highest among adults aged 18-24 years throughout the U.S.
Child current asthma prevalence was higher among children aged 5-9 years
than children aged 15-17 years in New York however, the rate was lower
among children aged 0-4 years throughout the 38 participating states.
Adult Current Asthma Prevalence by Sex, BRFSS, 2008
Child Current Asthma Prevalence by Sex, BRFSS, 2008
18
NYS
18
U.S.
15
11.2
9
6.5
6.2
12
10.4
Percent
Percent
12
6
NYS
38 States
15
10.8
10.5
10.4
9
7.6
6
3
3
0
0
Men
Women
Boys
Girls
Adult current asthma prevalence was higher among women than men
in New York. A similar pattern occurred throughout the U.S.
Child current asthma prevalence was similar among boys and girls in New York;
however, the rate was higher among boys throughout the 38 participating states.
Adult Current Asthma Prevalence by Race/Ethnicity, BRFSS, 2008
Child Current Asthma Prevalence by Race/Ethnicity, BRFSS, 2008
18
17.9
NYS
18
U.S.
15
16.4 16.0
15.9
NYS
38 States
15
14.0
12.5
9
8.6 8.8
10.0
12
9.6
8.1
6.3
6
7.4 7.2
9
8.9
9.5
8.1
7.7
8.1
6.9*
6
3
3
0
0
White NH
Black NH
Hispanic
Other NH Multirace NH
Adult current asthma prevalence was similar among all race/ethnic
groups when compared with non-Hispanic whites in New York;
however, rates were higher among non-Hispanic multirace persons
and non-Hispanic blacks throughout the U.S.
CS223982_H
Percent
Percent
12
White NH
Black NH
Hispanic
Other NH Multirace NH
Child current asthma prevalence was higher among non-Hispanic blacks than non-Hispanic whites
in New York; however, rates were higher among non-Hispanic blacks and non-Hispanic multirace
persons throughout the 38 participating states.
*The estimate is unstable.
Asthma in New York State
Asthma Hospitalizations
Asthma Deaths
Age-Adjusted Asthma Mortality Rate by Race, NVSS, 2007
New York State Hospital Discharge Data, 2008
700
600
583.5
30
NYS
U.S.
24.3
400
324.2
300
260.8
200
224.7 227.6
144.8
141.6
Rate/million
Rate/100,000
500
25.4
20
12.2
9.2
10
8.8
85.1 68.3 84.2
100
0
0-4
5-9
10-14 15 - 17 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+
The age-adjusted asthma hospitalization rate in New York was
201.7/100,000 persons3 compared with the U.S. rate of 144/100,000
persons4. In New York State, the hospitalization rate for children was
283.3/100,000 persons3 and for adults was 182.9/100,000 persons3.
**
0
White
Black
Other
Asthma was the underlying cause of death for 227 adults and 10
children in New York State5. The age-adjusted mortality rate in New
York State was 11.4/million and the U.S. rate was 11.0/million5.
**The estimate is suppressed.
Asthma Patient Education and Medication Use
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of
Asthma includes recommendations by medical and public health experts to aid in the clinical practice of managing asthma.
The NHLBI Guidelines focus on four areas of asthma management and care: Assessment and Monitoring, Patient Education, Control
of Environmental Factors Contributing to Asthma Severity, and Pharmacologic Treatment. Items included in the following table are
related to asthma patient education and medication use for adults with current asthma in New York State.
Patient Education: Adults with Current Asthma6
Respondents
Yes
Ever taught how to recognize early signs or symptoms of an asthma episode
304
69%
Ever told what to do during an asthma attack
304
79%
Ever taught how to use a peak flow meter to adjust daily medications
313
50%
Ever given an asthma action plan
309
25%
Ever taken a course on how to manage asthma
312
11%
Respondents
Yes
305
65%
blank row
Medication Use: Adults with Current Asthma6
Used a prescription asthma medication in the past 3 months7
Notes:
1. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 2008
2. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2008
When the sample size is fewer than 50, prevalence estimates are considered unstable and should be interpreted with caution. Indicated with an asterisk (*)
All stated comparisons (e.g., higher, lower, similar) indicate that the group is statistically significantly different than the reference group (e.g., adults aged 18-24 years, men,
non-Hispanic whites, children aged 15-17 years, and boys).
3. State Hospital Discharge Data, 2008
4. National Hospital Discharge Survey, 2008
When estimates are based on fewer than 60 hospitalizations, they are considered unstable and should be interpreted with caution. Indicated with an asterisk (*)
5. National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), 2007
When estimates are based on fewer than 20 deaths in the numerator, they are considered unstable and should be interpreted with caution. Indicated with an asterisk (*)
When estimates are based on fewer than 10 deaths in the numerator, data are suppressed due to confidentiality. Indicated with double asterisks (**)
6. Asthma Call-back Survey, 2008
7. Medication includes inhalers, pills, syrups, and nebulizers.
CDC’s National Asthma Control Program
For more information on asthma:
http://www.cdc.gov/asthma
http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/asthma/