Maine Asthma Prevention and Control Program - Asthma Information - Basic Asthma Facts

• Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways
• Children lose over 14 million school days each year due to asthma
• Adults lose almost 15 million work days each year due to asthma
• Adult women have higher asthma rates than adult men
• Adolescent boys have higher asthma rates than adolescent girls
• There are over 4,000 deaths due to asthma each year
• There are almost 2 million emergency room visits for asthma each year
• There are close to 500,000 hospitalizations due to asthma each year
• Asthma is estimated to cost 16.1 billions dollars annually
• Following a written asthma plan leads to better asthma management
• Having asthma in NOT the same as having allergies
• There is no cure for asthma
• Asthma can be managed and people with asthma can live happy productive lives