Rates are calculated as the number of discharges where asthma is listed as the primary diagnosis per 10,000 population in that age group. Regional Performance Across the region, asthma hospitalizations vary by age group. Average adult rates from 1994 to 1997 range from 9 per 10,000 in Cattaraugus to 16 per 10,000 in Chautauqua. Only Chautauqua County, whose 1997 rate matched its 1994 level, did not see rates decrease. Average rates from 1993 to 1997 exceeded the state average of 42 per 10,000 in six of eight Western New York counties.
Recent studies indicate that asthma is a growing problem nationally, particularly among children.
Due to changes in managed care practices, however, asthma hospitalization rates may not reflect these trends. A Closer Look Regional asthma hospitalization rates for the high risk group of children under five show significant differences from county to county, and vary widely from year to year. A comparison of 1995 and 1997 rates reveals some trends, however. Change in Children's Asthma Hospitalizations Allegany and Wyoming Counties experienced the greatest reduction in hospitalization rates, with Allegany s drop from 64 to 26 cases per 10,000 the most dramatic change in the region. Rates in Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, and Niagara have also been falling.