KING COUNTY, WA - Childhood asthma continues to increase locally and nationally and with no sign of decline. It’s estimated that between 14 and 15 million Americans have asthma and about 5 million are children. In fact, asthma is 2nd only to injuries as the leading cause of hospitalizations among children and is the most common childhood chronic illness.
"Asthma is a serious public health issue," said King County Executive, Ron Sims. "Much remains to be learned. We estimate approximately 28,000 children in King County have asthma. It affects every aspect of a child’s life and the family’s life. Yet, much can be done to prevent asthma hospitalizations."
"Asthma is an indicator of the public's overall health," says Health Department Director Dr. Alonzo Plough. "Hospitalizations, for the most part, can be prevented. If kids and their parents are taught to manage their asthma at home, most kids will not have to go to the hospital. We want people to learn about the disease and how to control it so children with asthma can lead normal lives and asthma 'attacks' don't escalate to the point where hospitalization is necessary."
