Public Health Division Chances are that you know someone with asthma, or you have asthma. An estimated 15 million Americans have asthma, including 118,000 New Mexicans. THE BAD NEWS Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood and is the cause for the most school absences and missed workdays for parents. Improperly treated asthma can cause unnecessary limitation on exertion in daily tasks, recreation and social activities.
Deaths do occur from asthma.
Each year about thirty-nine New Mexicans die of the disease. THE VERY GOOD NEWS Adults and children can be healthy and live active lives. Asthma management has advanced significantly. Asthma medications in use now are inhaled, have fewer side effects and often, only need to be taken twice daily. By monitoring a person's peak flow rate, an oncoming asthma episode can be detected and treated early, at home, before symptoms increase and require urgent care.