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Girl using an inhaler.
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Asthma

Asthma often leads to a reduced quality of life due to physical effects, and also psychological and social effects that burden individuals, families, schools, employers, and government. Over 10 people per day in the US die of asthma. These deaths are almost all preventable.

Environmental exposures play a significant role in both the development of asthma and as triggers of asthma episodes, called asthma attacks. Though people with asthma have similar symptoms, the origins and triggers of the disease may differ considerably from person to person.

Multiple factors contribute to the development of asthma, including:

  • Genetic predisposition, often manifested in a family history of asthma or allergies.
  • Exposures in the home, school, workplace, or outdoors to environmental agents, including chemicals in products and air pollution.
  • Exposure to biologic agents, such as some viruses and allergens.1

Some social determinants of health, including obesity and psychosocial stress, along with dietary factors, have also been implicated in the development of asthma. Structural racism is a root cause of many of the conditions that elevate risk factors for asthma.2 There is increasing attention by researchers to the interactions among risk factors, both genetic and exogenous.3

 

For more information, explore our asthma-related webinars.

 

This page was last revised in March 2024 by CHE’s Science Writer Matt Lilley, with input from Ted Schettler, MD, MPH and Polly Hoppin, ScD, and editing support from CHE Director Kristin Schafer.

CHE invites our partners to submit corrections and clarifications to this page. Please include links to research to support your submissions through the comment form on our Contact page.