Nearly Six Million Californians Suffer from Asthma Symptoms or Asthma-like Breathing Problems

Publication Date: October 2006

Publisher: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Author(s): E. Richard Brown; Ying-Ying Meng; Susan H. Babey; Theresa A. Hastert

Research Area: Health

Keywords: asthma; breathing

Type: Brief

Coverage: California

Abstract:

Nearly 6 million Californians report that they have difficulty breathing. Moreover, according to this policy brief, asthma among California adults increased from 2001 to 2003 across all age groups and 3.4 million who haven't been diagnosed with asthma suffer from asthma-like symptoms, such as wheezing. The study also shows that asthma and asthma-like breathing problems disproportionately affect young children, African Americans and American Indian/Alaska Natives. The brief also details the differences among California counties in terms of asthma symptoms and other asthma-like breathing problems. The brief concludes with policy recommendations to address its findings.