Insights into Asthma Prevalence in Oregon

Abstract

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases. The prevalence of asthma appears to be increasing. National data have suggested that Oregon's asthma mortality rate has been twice as high as the national average. The prevalence and impact of asthma are not systematically assessed or tracked within Oregon. We estimated the current asthma prevalence and mortality using data from statewide hospital discharge data, the 1995 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, and school registration data from the Portland area. A conservative estimate of Oregon's current asthma prevalence is 6-7% and lifetime asthma prevalence is estimated at 6-11% for both adults and children. It appears that current asthma prevalence increases during adolescence. The Willamette Valley, an area known for high pollen counts, does not have a higher rate of hospital discharges per capita than other areas within the state. Oregon's apparent higher asthma mortality may be the result of the Oregon State Health Division's aggressive policies toward accurate reporting on death certificates. Oregon's age distribution may also contribute to the apparent higher asthma mortality rate.

Short and long term treatment of asthma with intravenous nutrients

“…This increase has been blamed variously on different types of inhalers used for asthma, [4] chemical environmental pollution, mostly of the air, [5] increased reporting incidences and many other factors. No matter what the cause, the incidence of asthma has appeared to increase and to worsen over the years, even if it may appear to be more stable recently [6,7]. …”

Health and safety hazards in Northwest agriculture: Setting an occupational research agenda

“…Asthma deaths increased from 1980 to 1989 in Washington state [Roberts et al, 1996], and asthma is also considered a significant problem in Oregon [Ertle and London, 1998]. Asthma and bronchitis have been carefully studied in only a few agricultural occupations, such as animal confinement workers.…”