World Asthma Day 2024: Check Facts and Figures related to Asthma by AAFA

Every year on the first Tuesday of May, World Asthma Day is celebrated around the world. Asthma is a challenging respiratory disease that affects millions of people around the world. It causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which can lead to wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. Although there is no cure, asthma can be effectively controlled with proper treatment and self-care.

— Global Initiative on Asthma (GINA) (@ginasthma) May 7, 2024

Unfortunately, access to quality asthma care is not uniform worldwide. There are many differences due to factors such as geography, socioeconomic status and lack of awareness. That’s why World Asthma Day aims to bridge these gaps by focusing on:

  • Raise awareness: World Asthma Day educates the public about asthma symptoms, triggers and management strategies.
  • Promote Self-Management: This day empowers people with asthma to take control of their condition through proper medication compliance, identifying triggers, and developing an action plan for asthma attacks.

World Asthma Day 2024: Dates

The first Tuesday in May every year is World Asthma Day. 2024 is May 7th. By empowering people with asthma through education, World Asthma Day strives to create a world where everyone can breathe freely.

World Asthma Day 2024: History

World Asthma Day was first celebrated in 1998. Held in conjunction with the first World Asthma Conference in Barcelona, ​​Spain, with the participation of more than 35 countries, it marked an important step in global awareness.

Since its inception, World Asthma Day has grown into a major international event. Each year a new theme is chosen to focus on a specific aspect of asthma.

The Global Asthma Initiative mentions: “In 1998, more than 35 countries celebrated the first World Asthma Day, coinciding with the first World Asthma Conference in Barcelona, ​​Spain. Since then, participation has continued to grow as World Asthma Day is celebrated every year and the day has become one of the world’s most important asthma awareness and education events.”

World Asthma Day 2024: Key facts and figures

Asthma affects millions of people worldwide. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of India, here is a peek at the key facts and figures about this condition.

Facts about asthma:

  • Chronic disease: Inflammation and swelling of the airways leading to narrowing.
  • Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, wheezing, cough, chest tightness/pain.
  • Triggers: Various – allergens (pollen, dust mites), infections, irritants, pollution, weather, food, exercise.
  • Severe cases: Untreated asthma can be life-threatening.
  • Manage, not cure: Education and treatment can prevent attacks and improve quality of life.
  • Widespread disease: One of the most common and expensive health problems in the United States.

Common features of asthma:

  • In the United States, more than 27 million people (approximately 1 in 12 people) have asthma. This is a sizable number and highlights the widespread impact of this situation.
  • Among adults alone, more than 22 million people are diagnosed with asthma
  • Asthma rates highest among adults who are American Indian or Alaska Native, highlighting need to address health care disparities in at-risk communities
  • CDC data shows that the number of childhood asthma attacks declined between 2001 and 2020 (from 61% to 43%). This suggests that better management strategies are having a positive impact.

Economic Impact of Asthma:

In the United States, asthma costs more than $81.9 billion annually in medical expenses, lost productivity and missed school days. This includes:

  • $3 billion in lost work and learning productivity
  • Asthma-related deaths cost $29 billion
  • Direct medical costs $50.3 billion

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