Asthma is a common chronic airway disorder characterized by periods of reversible airflow
obstruction known as asthma attacks (1). Airflow is obstructed by inflammation and airway
hyperreactivity (contraction of the small muscles surrounding the airways) in reaction to
certain exposures (1). Exposures include exercise, infection, allergens (eg, pollen),
occupational exposures (eg, chemicals), and airborne irritants (eg, environmental tobacco
smoke)(1). Symptoms may include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest …

Objectives: This report presents recent data on asthma prevalence and health care use.
Additional data on school and work absences and asthma management practices are also
presented. Where possible, differences are examined by age, sex, race or ethnicity,
geographic region, poverty status, and urbanicity. Methods: Data from the National Health
Interview Survey, the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the National Hospital
Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the National Hospital Discharge Survey, and the National …