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Article: Expert panel report to provide clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of asthma. (reprinted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Infomemo pp11-13, 18)
- Article from:
- Journal of School Health
- Article date:
- August 1, 1991
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1991 American School Health Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Asthma is a major public health problem in the United States. It affects approximately 10 million people, 3 million of whom are under the age of 18. Approximately 2 million people with asthma suffer from limitations in activity due to their disease. In 1986, direct health care expenditures for asthma were $2.8 billion. When indirect costs resulting from asthma morbidity and mortality were added, the total economic impact of this disease in 1986 exceeded $4 billion.
Asthma morbidity and mortality statistics show disturbing trends. Mortality rates have gradually increased over the past 10 years, especially in minority populations. Although reasons for the rise ...