Uncontrolled Asthma among Persons with Current Asthma

Uncontrolled asthma is associated with decreased quality of life and increased health care system use

Percentage with uncontrolled asthma: Children

Percentage with uncontrolled asthma: Adults

Asthma control reflects the level of minimizing the frequency and intensity of symptoms and functional limitations. Uncontrolled asthma* has a significant cost to families and society, since it relates to an increase in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and work and school absenteeism.

On average, 38.4% of children and 50.0% of adults with current asthma^† had uncontrolled asthma during the years 2006-2010. The level of asthma control varied by state, but did not follow a specific geographic pattern. Percentages of children with current asthma who had uncontrolled asthma ranged from 26.7% in Pennsylvania to 53.1% in Mississippi. Pecentages of adults with current asthma who had uncontrolled asthma ranged from 34.9% in DC to 63.9% in Alabama.

* National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert panel report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, 2007. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf [PDF - 3.9 MB].
Reported any of the following: in past 30 days, asthma symptoms more than two days a week, nighttime awakenings (more than one times a month in ages 0-4 years and two or more times a month in ages 5-11 years, and one to three times a week in ages 12 years and older), and in past three months, short-acting β2-agonists use more than two days a week.

Source: Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS)— Child and Adult Asthma Call-back survey Data, 2006-2010

Download this AsthmaStats Factsheet [PDF - 320 KB] containing additional information.

CDC’s National Asthma Control Program was created in 1999 to help the millions of people with asthma in the United States gain control over their disease. The Program conducts national asthma surveillance and provides funds to states to help improve asthma surveillance and focus efforts and resources where they are needed.