Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson Recognizes May as Asthma Awareness Month

Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson urges increased asthma awareness and education during May as part of Asthma Awareness Month. 

“The more New Yorkers know about asthma, the less harm it may cause if caution and prevention are utilized,” Senator Hassell-Thompson said. “Tragedy can occur when we fail to recognize the causes, symptoms and treatments for such a widespread chronic illness.” 

Asthma affects over 1.1 million New Yorkers. It is a treatable form of cardio pulmonary disease (COPD), and can be controlled with a variety of common medications. Asthma causes an average of 301 deaths per year and 41,797 hospitalizations in New York; many of which are preventable.  Ethnic differences in asthma prevalence, morbidity and mortality are highly correlated with poverty, urban air quality, indoor allergens, lack of patient education and inadequate medical care.  African Americans and Latinos experience higher emergency department and hospitalization rates associated with asthma. 

In New York City, children are almost twice as likely to be hospitalized as children nationwide.  Asthma is the leading cause of missed school days for children and workplace absences for adults.  

For more information about Asthma Awareness Month visit the following websites: 

·         New York State Department of Health:

http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/asthma/ 

 ·         United States Environmental Protection Agency:  

http://www.epa.gov/asthma/awareness.html 

·         The Center for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/features/asthmaawareness/

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