The 20 Worst Places for People with Asthma to Live, According to Major Health Organizations

In the United States, nearly 28 million people, or about one in twelve, have asthma. Depending on where you live, the disease can be more difficult to treat.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently released its Asthma Capitals report, which ranks the 100 most populous U.S. states based on the burden they pose on people with chronic respiratory diseases.

“This is not a report on ‘bad’ cities for people with asthma — rather, it is a report identifying factors that may make living with asthma more difficult,” Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA Virginia, told Fox News Digital via email.

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The report designated “asthma capitals” based on the prevalence of the disease, the number of emergency room visits due to asthma and asthma-related deaths.

In the United States, nearly 28 million people, or about one in twelve, suffer from asthma.

“Cities at the top of the report tend to score higher than average in at least two of these categories,” Mendez noted.

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“High rates of hospitalization or death due to asthma indicate a lower quality of life for people with asthma in these cities.”

The report also found that where you live can have a significant impact on your health, Mendez said.

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“Adverse social, economic and environmental factors play a role in determining the effects of asthma,” he noted.

“Many of the world’s biggest asthma capitals also face significant challenges and inequalities that lead to healthcare inequities.”

People with asthma should have an action plan that includes medications, ways to recognize worsening symptoms and steps to take in an emergency.

The report also looked at risk factors for asthma, including air quality, poverty, access to specialists, tobacco policies, medication use and lack of health insurance.

Mendez added: “We believe the report is a way to highlight the factors that influence asthma.”

AAFA has designated 20 cities as “asthma capitals.”

Wichita, Kansas, was the worst city in the U.S. for asthma.

The full list of the top 100 asthma capitals is included in the report, which can be accessed on the AAFA website.

For people with asthma who live in areas with challenging conditions, AAFA recommends taking the following steps to make the condition more bearable.

To keep your asthma under control, your plan should include information about your medications, how to recognize when your symptoms are getting worse, and steps to take in an emergency.

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Mendez noted that vaccinations against respiratory infections such as influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and pneumonia can help control asthma symptoms.

“We spend 90% of our time indoors, so it’s important to take steps to improve indoor air quality,” Mendez told Fox News Digital.

“Patients should talk to their healthcare team to determine what plan is best for them,” the expert said.

“This may include using certified asthma and allergy-friendly air purifiers and ensuring that cleaning products reduce allergens and are free from respiratory irritants.”

According to Mendez, this may include wearing a mask in crowded places, washing your hands thoroughly and avoiding contact with people who are sick.

According to the AAFA, getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and eating healthy foods can help make asthma better manageable.

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“There are treatment options available that can help prevent the risk of an asthma attack, allowing people to live with this chronic lung disease,” Mendez said.

“Patients should talk to their healthcare team to determine what plan is best for them.”

Source of original article: The 20 Worst Places for People with Asthma to Live, According to Major Health Organizations