According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the death rate among young asthmatics more than doubled between 1980 and 1993, the most recent year for which figures are available. The death rate among individuals from birth to age 24 increased 118 percent from 1.7 deaths per million to 3.7 deaths per million since 1980. African-Americans also suffer the highest asthma rate, according to statistics. From birth to age 4 and from the ages 15 to 24, they are six times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans. Between ages 5 to 14 they are four times more likely to die.
Untreated asthma poses a much greater risk than over-treated asthma.
When their asthma is under control, patients can live a largely normal life, he said, but if asthma is left uncontrolled, the goal often becomes keeping the patient alive and out of the emergency room. According to new government statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the annual hospitalization rate for asthma among all individuals from birth to age 24 has increased 28 percent since 1980. An important factor in preventing or reducing attacks is avoiding common household allergens such as plant pollen, molds, cockroaches, animal dander, industrial chemicals, foods, medicines, feathers, insect venom, and household dust that carries mites. It is also important to cover allergen reservoirs such as mattresses and pillows with impermeable covers wherever possible. Mattresses, pillows, carpets and upholstered furniture act both as a nest for mites and cockroaches and as a major site where allergens accumulate.