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Home > About Asthma Action America®
About Asthma Action America®
Asthma Action America® is a national asthma education campaign supported by leading organizations committed to improving healthcare. More than 31 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma in their lifetime. It is a leading cause of activity limitation in the United States, and it places a significant burden not only on patients, but also on families, workplaces, schools, communities, and quality of life. In fact:
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- Asthma is responsible for approximately 500,000 hospitalizations annually; it is the third-leading cause of preventable hospitalizations in the United States.
- The number of asthma deaths is significantly higher today than two decades ago. In 1999, there were approximately 5,000 asthma-related deaths in the United States.
- In 2002, the total cost of asthma was estimated to be $14 billion, including $4.6 billion in indirect costs (e.g., lost productivity).
- A 1998 national survey of 2,509 people with asthma found that:
- 41% sought urgent care from an ER, clinic or hospital in the past year
- 30% were awakened by breathing problems at least once a week
- 25% missed work in the prior year because of their asthma
- 48% said asthma limited them in sports and recreation; 36% said it limited them in normal physical exertion; 25% said it limited them in social activities
The statistics above are an indicator that asthma has significant impact on the public health. They also outline a need to inform and educate asthma patients on how they can more effectively manage their condition.
Asthma Action America® Background
Asthma Action America® is a national asthma education program supported by 21 leading organizations, including the Respiratory Institute established by GlaxoSmithKline, working together to improve the understanding and management of asthma in the United States. GlaxoSmithKline is a research-based pharmaceutical
company and a world leader in respiratory care.
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