About Asthma
Asthma is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe and can cause symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. It can be serious—even life-threatening—and may begin at any age.
While there is no cure for asthma, it can be effectively managed and controlled. The best approach to managing asthma includes avoiding triggers, taking medications to prevent symptoms, and being prepared to treat asthma episodes if they occur. Work with your doctor to help better understand and control the triggers that lead to asthma flare-ups. By learning your triggers (PDF) you can reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
Maine Asthma Facts
- More than 18,000 Mainers under age 18 have asthma
- More than 140,000 Maine adults have asthma
- One in nine Mainers currently has asthma, that's more than 150,000 people
- Poorly controlled asthma contribute to about 2,700 emergency department visits, 200 hospitalizations, and 13 deaths each year
Learn to control your asthma with the FREE Asthma Self-Management Education Program.
If you or a loved one has asthma, you are not alone. The Maine CDC Asthma Program Asthma Action Plans and other resources to help control and manage your asthma.
Asthma Prevention and Control Program
The Maine CDC Asthma Prevention and Control Program addresses asthma issues through leadership and coordination of asthma prevention and intervention activities. Activities include:
- monitoring asthma prevalence
- supporting asthma self-management education for patients and caregivers
- sharing information with partners on interventions shown to improve quality of life and reduce costs associated with asthma
- supporting the education and training of health professionals on current methods of diagnosis and treatment of asthma
Asthma control activities and initiatives are guided by the US CDC's EXHALE Framework and funded through a grant from the US CDC's National Asthma Control Program.
Maine and US asthma data
Program reports on activities and surveillance
- Maine CDC Asthma Prevention Communications Plan 2020-2025 (PDF)
- Maine Asthma Non-Physician Training Evaluation Report 2019 (PDF)
- Economic Evaluation of the Maine Asthma Self-Management Education Program (PDF)
- Maine Asthma Coalition Strategic Plan 2024-2028 (PDF)
Contact
Health Program Manager: Paola Piedrahita
Call: (207) 215-9637 or email: Paola.Piedrahita@maine.gov
Healthy Living Coordinator: Leigh Riley
Call: (207) 287-4083 or email: Leigh.Riley@maine.gov