DHSS Press Release |
Date: October 7, 2005 DHSS-102-2005 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Heidi Truschel-Light Phone: (302) 744-4907 Pager: (302) 247-1560 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
REPORT DETAILS HEALTH AND ECONOMIC BURDEN OF ASTHMA IN DELAWARE
Embargoed until Saturday, Oct. 8
Nearly 72,000 Delaware adults have had asthma at some time, and at least 46,000 currently have asthma, according to The Burden of Asthma in Delaware report released today by Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). According to the report, "Total statewide charges for asthma treatment and medications could be as high as $25 to $30 million a year."
Dr. Jaime H. Rivera, DPH director said, "This report demonstrates that asthma is truly a public health issue." Rivera said asthma can be addressed by education, public policy and cooperative efforts among organizations like DPH, DNREC, the American Lung Association, and the Delaware Asthma Consortium.
Asthma is chronic lung disorder marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction, and often accompanied by wheezing, coughing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. It can be triggered by reactions to allergens, pollutants, cigarette smoke, or rapid changes in air temperature. The report lists smoking and airborne pollution as major contributors to asthma symptoms in Delaware.
The report notes that DPH's tobacco prevention efforts and the state's Clean Indoor Air Act protect people with asthma from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. Airborne pollution is monitored by DNREC's Air Quality Section, which produces the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) based on levels of ozone, particulate matter, and other pollutants. "Our air quality monitoring program produces the Air Quality Index, providing the public with information on current air quality conditions in locations throughout the state," said Sec. John Hughes of DNREC. "The AQI and our ozone action days provide important information for people who suffer from asthma and other adverse health effects caused by air pollution."
Among the report's findings:
- Delaware children under age 4 are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized with asthma than any other age group. They are about 4 times more likely to have asthma-related hospitalization than adults.
- There may be nearly 3,000 asthma-related hospitalizations of young children a year in Delaware.
- African-American residents in Delaware are hospitalized due to asthma at a rate nearly three times greater than that of whites. Neither the lifetime nor the current prevalence rates for asthma have such a high level of disparity.
- Charges to Delaware Medicaid for asthma medications more than doubled, from $4.4 million in 2000 to $9.7 million in 2003. The state's total asthma-related Medicaid charges in 2003 were $13.9 million.
- Asthma effects quality of life and productivity. About 23 percent of Delaware adults with asthma reported being unable to work or carry out daily activities for one or more days the past month.
Dr. Rivera said an advisory committee established to guide the Burden report is developing a pilot project to address asthma in at least one high-risk community. The report will also be used in strategic planning and efforts to seek grant funding for a statewide asthma program.
The report was released Saturday, October 8, at the American Lung Association's "Blow the Whistle on Asthma" walk at the DelCastle Recreation Park in New Castle County. The Asthma Walk is held each year to raise funds for fighting asthma in Delaware. The report is available online at www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/asthma.html . Copies can be ordered from the Division of Public Health, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Section, Blue Hen Corporate Center, Suite 201B, Dover, DE 19901-4615.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
