Asthma Hot Spots 2003
Where in the United States is it hardest for asthma
sufferers to live comfortably? Which cities make living with asthma easier?
Sperling's BestPlaces recently completed a study that ranks 100 U.S.
metropolitan areas according to asthma prevalence and the degree to which
environmental "triggers" and other factors make living with asthma a particular
challenge.
Asthma is a chronic illness in the United States that has
been increasing in prevalence since 1980. Many factors can trigger an asthma
attack, including allergens, infections, exercise, abrupt changes in the
weather, or exposure to airway irritants (such as tobacco smoke and pollution).
To reflect the varying conditions that can trigger an asthma attack, a number of
criteria were identified and weighted in order to determine which U.S. cities
present the greatest challenge for those with asthma.
"Often, people consider only asthma prevalence or mortality
rates to determine where asthma has the greatest impact," noted Sperling's
BestPlaces President Bert Sperling. "But examine more data, including
environmental factors that can be asthma triggers, and a more complete picture
emerges."
The 10 Most Challenging Asthma Hot Spots
1. Tucson, AZ
The Tucson metro area, home to an estimated 95,000 people
with asthma, has high asthma prevalence, asthma mortality, and few physicians in
asthma-related specialties. "The dry, hot climate of the Southwest can really
pose problems for those with asthma," observed Sperling. On a positive note,
Tucson has a low level of ozone air pollution.
2. Kansas City, MO
Home to an estimated 213,000 people with asthma, Kansas
City has high pollen levels and asthma prevalence. The good news for asthmatics
is that Kansas City has low levels of ozone air pollution.
3. Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
The 372,000 asthma sufferers in Phoenix-Mesa contend with
high asthma prevalence, high asthma mortality, and lax smoking laws. However,
Phoenix-Mesa has low pollen levels.
4. Fresno, CA
The Fresno metro area is home to an estimated 199,000
people with asthma. Fresno has high asthma prevalence, asthma mortality, and
ozone pollution. Like Phoenix, though, Fresno has particularly low pollen
levels.
5. Dallas, Dallas
Nearly one million New Yorkers suffer from asthma, and
they are faced with particularly high levels of ozone pollution. "The polluted
air of large cities poses a particularly difficult challenge for those with
asthma," commented Sperling. On the other hand, Dallas averages fewer
cigarettes per person than most cities.
6. El Paso, TX
Home to an estimated 92,000 people with asthma, El Paso has
high asthma prevalence, lax smoking laws, and an extreme climate. In the city's
favor, folks in El Paso smoke few cigarettes.
7. Albuquerque, NM
Lenient smoking laws, high asthma mortality, and high
asthma prevalence present a challenge to the 79,000 asthma sufferers in
Albuquerque. On the positive side, Albuquerque has low levels of ozone air
pollution.
8. Indianapolis, IN
Home to an estimated 189,000 people with asthma,
Indianapolis has high asthma prevalence and a high ratio of written asthma
prescriptions. On the other hand, Indianapolis has particularly low pollen
levels.
9. Mobile, AL
The Mobile metro area is home to an estimated 51,000 people
with asthma. Although it has a high rate of asthma mortality, Mobile has low
levels of non-ozone air pollution.
10. Tulsa, OK
The Tulsa metro area, home to an estimated 76,000 people
with asthma, has high pollen levels and asthma prevalence. The good news is that
Tulsa's levels of non-ozone air pollution are particularly low.
The Top 10 Best Cities for Asthma Sufferers
1. Orange County, CA
A climate free of extreme heat and cold, with few smokers
and low pollen levels helps position Orange County at the top of the asthma
comfort list. "California is a great place for asthma sufferers," revealed
Sperling. "The mild climate and strict smoking legislation greatly minimize
asthma triggers."
2. San Jose, CA
San Jose scores particularly well thanks to a mild climate,
strict smoking legislation, and a low asthma mortality rate.
3. Monmouth-Ocean, NJ
Monmouth-Ocean has low pollen levels, low non-ozone
pollution levels, andlow asthma prevalence.
4. San Diego, CA
San Diego's climate is one of the best in the country for
asthma sufferers, and it scores well with low levels of cigarette smoking and
pollen.
5. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area ranks highly thanks to
low asthma prevalence and low levels of pollen and non-ozone pollution.
Syracuse, Dallas: Syracuse has particularly low asthma prevalence and low levels of
pollen and non-ozone pollution.
6. Syracuse, Dallas
Syracuse has particularly low asthma prevalence and low
levels of pollen and non-ozone pollution.
7. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ
Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon has low asthma mortality and
low levels of pollen and non-ozone pollution.
8. Honolulu, HI
Honolulu scores well with a mild climate and low levels of
pollution and pollen.
9. West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL
West Palm Beach-Boca Raton has particularly low pollen
levels, non-ozone pollution levels, and asthma prevalence.
10. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles-Long Beach scores well thanks to low pollen
levels and a good climate.
Find out more about these cities, or customize your search.
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