[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            WORLD ASTHMA DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DIANE E. WATSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2002

  Ms. WATSON of California. Mr. Speaker, asthma has become epidemic. 
Over 2.3 million Californians have asthma, a chronic illness that makes 
breathing difficult and causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, 
coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. Nationwide, the number of 
asthma sufferers has increased 50 percent since 1980.
  Nearly one in thirteen children in the U.S. have asthma and this 
percentage is growing more rapidly in preschool age children than in 
any other group. Between 1982 and 1995, incidents of childhood asthma 
increased by 87 percent and is now the most common chronic illness 
among children. Asthma accounts for approximately 17 percent of 
children's emergency room visits and is the major cause of school 
absences.
  Asthma can be fatal. Rates of death from asthma, hospitalizations and 
visits to emergency rooms have been increasing for more than 20 years, 
particularly among children and African Americans. During 1979 to 1982, 
the death rate from asthma for all blacks has increased 71 percent 
while for whites it has increased 41 percent.
  Asthma episodes can be triggered by dust, pets, mold, air pollution, 
tobacco smoke, some insects, certain chemicals, cold air and stress. 
Managing asthma includes proper diagnosis, access to high quality 
medical care and monitoring the condition and avoiding the things that 
trigger attacks.
  In Los Angeles, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America--
Southern California chapter, working in conjunction with the California 
Department of Health Services--Childhood Asthma Initiative and the Los 
Angeles County Department of Health Services, is sponsoring a 
community-based initiative to identify ways to control inhalation 
exposures that trigger children's asthma attacks. The Healthy African 
American Families has established an asthma intervention program called 
``Breathe Free'' that is targeted for African American children in 
South Los Angeles communities.
  I applaud the efforts of these organizations to identify the asthma 
risk factors, educate the public, provide intervention measures in 
homes and child care centers and make progress in reversing the 
terrible trend of childhood asthma.

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