Asthma - USA case study

What is asthma?

Asthma is a common non-communicable lung condition that causes occasional breathing problems.

What causes asthma (2)?

- Poor air quality, smoke fumes
- Allergies, pollen and dust

Stats of asthma USA

- 45% of people in the US who have asthma had an asthma attack in the last year
- In 2010, 18% of stays in hospital for children were because of asthma
- Almost 30% of African American in-patient hospital stays were asthma-related compared to just under 9% for white patients
- 10.1 million school days are lost across the US in a single year because of asthma

NGOs in combating Asthma (2)

- The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Strategy Report provides clinicians with an annually updated evidence-based strategy for asthma management and prevention, which can be adapted for local circumstances, such as medication availability
- Aims to improve the diagnosis, management, and prevention of asthma by providing up-to-date evidence-based strategy and tools and practical resources for clinicians worldwide#

IOs in combating asthma - WHO (2)

- WHO is taking action to extend diagnosis of and treatment of asthma
- WHO has initiatives for reducing tobacco smoke exposure including the MPOWER initiative which raises taxes on tobacco, warns about the dangers and offers advice on how to create a smoke-free environment