[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E846-E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      ANNAPOLIS CENTER REPORT ADDRESSES KEY CONCERNS ABOUT ASTHMA

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2001

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues an important report that was recently issued by the 
Annapolis Center for Science-Based Public Policy. Asthma is a serious 
disease that is often undetected, misdiagnosed and not properly 
treated. I am hopeful the Center's Executive Summary will help to 
enlighten my colleagues about the importance of addressing the problems 
associated with asthma.

                           Executive Summary

       This report defines asthma, evaluates trends, and reviews 
     how it is studied. It reviews potential triggers of asthma 
     attacks and their proper management, which can dramatically 
     decrease morbidity and prevent mortality. The report 
     recommends prudent steps that decision-makers, doctors, and 
     patients should take in combating the disease.
       Several major points of the report are as follows:
       Asthma is a serious disease, with a great impact on public 
     health and the economy;
       Asthma has a disproportional impact in the United States on 
     minorities, the poor, and children;
       Asthma is a complex disease. We do not have a complete 
     picture of asthma because we have an insufficient 
     understanding of all the interacting mechanisms. Because of 
     this, there is no universally accepted definition of the 
     disease;
       Because of the lack of a completely acceptable definition 
     of asthma, it may be under-diagnosed or over-diagnosed;
       We do not yet know all the causes of asthma. Genetic 
     factors play a role but these alone do not explain the 
     disease. The strongest (but incomplete) evidence exists for 
     interactions between genetic factors, indoor environmental 
     allergens and tobacco smoke; however, finding ``the cause'' 
     (or causes) of asthma will take time and money.
       Underlying causes, unlike immediate triggers, are 
     speculative, or highly speculative, requiring much more 
     research.
       A national asthma registry is needed.
       Action strategies aimed at eliminating some suspected 
     environmental risk factors

[[Page E847]]

     may reduce the prevalence of asthma attacks but are not 
     guaranteed to reduce the incidence of new cases of asthma. 
     There is evidence that dust mites, cockroaches, cat dander, 
     spores of the common airborne mold, and Alternaria (a type of 
     fungus) play an important role. It seems reasonable to clean 
     homes, workplaces, and schools to reduce exposure to these 
     triggers. This may not prevent all asthma attacks, but it may 
     lessen their frequency and/or severity;
       Asthma is a very manageable disease. Much of the current 
     morbidity and mortality is avoidable;
       Many asthmatics and their doctors do not take the disease 
     as seriously as they should;
       Clinical guidelines for asthma treatment need to be 
     followed;
       Better disease management is the strategy most likely to 
     yield benefits for asthmatics at this time. Better disease 
     management will result from specific programs to educate 
     physicians and patients along with programs to ensure better 
     access to care for all asthmatics.

     

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