Asthma Facts & Figures: US & UK
Asthma
is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the world. Here's some
facts and figures about the oft-suffered-from respiratory
illness:
-
Between 7 and 10% of all people in the United States (both adults and
children) suffer from asthma. The statistics are similar in the United
Kingdom.
-
It is estimated that asthma affects over 300 million people worldwide,
in total. This is the rate in developed countries only.
-
In the United Kingdom, over 74,000 hospitalisations occur due to asthma
or asthma-related illnesses every year. In the United States, the
figure is over 200,000. The difference is due to the relative
population size of each country - the percentage remains largely the
same.
-
In 2006, just over 3,500 people in the United States died of asthma or
asthma-related conditions. In the UK, the figure is just over 1,000.
Again, the difference is attributed to population size.
-
In nearly 90% of those deaths, however, it was recorded that the
outcome may have been different if the patient or doctor dealing with
the attack had attack differently (usually sooner).
-
Asthma costs the UK National Heath Service around £800
million per year (over $1 billion).
-
In 2006, there was a total of 10.6 million visits to see a doctor /
hospital physician concerning asthma in the United States. This
includes repeat visits from the same patient.
-
42% of asthma sufferers, when quizzed in a UK survey, said they avoided
polluted areas such as city centres wherever possible - for fear it may
trigger their asthma.
- Sources for statistics include the British Lung Foundation and Action Asthma.