CDC Releases National Asthma Surveillance for Past 20 Years

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, has released a national surveillance of asthma from 1980 to 2004. According to the CDC, asthma has increased in prevalence since the 1980s and has been the focus of numerous health care providers.

The report states, "From 1980 to 1996, 12-month asthma prevalence increased both in counts and rates, but no discernable change was identified in asthma attack estimates since 1997 or in current asthma prevalence from 2001 to 2004."

Currently, no primary strategies for preventing asthma have been identified, thus efforts must remain in controlling exposure.

To view the report summary, visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5608a1.htm.