Asthma Program

 
  Mission Statement
 
The mission of the program is to reduce asthma associated morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life for Connecticut residents living with asthma.
 

Asthma in Connecticut

Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system that is characterized by reversible obstruction of the airways and airway hyper-responsiveness to a variety of stimuli. In Connecticut, it has been found that the following population subgroups are disproportionately affected by asthma: children, females, Hispanics, non-Hispanic Blacks, and residents of the state's five largest cities.

Statistics:

  • Among Connecticut residents surveyed in 2018, 62,400 (9.7%) children and 290,300 (10.3%) adults suffered from asthma.
  • In 2017, 7.9% of US children and 9.1% of US adults had asthma.
  • Asthma is the single most avoidable cause of hospitalization, yet it is consistently one of the most common admitting diagnoses in pediatrics.
  • In 2018, the age-adjusted rate for asthma hospitalization was 7.2 per 10,000 populations (about 2,400 hospitalizations) and for asthma emergency department (ED) visit was 57.9 per 10,000 populations (about 18,550 ED visits).
  • In 2018, Connecticut incurred $102 million acute care charges due to asthma as a primary diagnosis. 
  • Of the $102 million asthma acute care charges, $56 million were for hospitalizations and $46 million were for emergency department (ED) visits.
  • Of the $102 million, $74 million (73%) were charged to public funds (Medicaid or Medicare).
  • Residents from the five largest cities (Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Waterbury) account for 18% of Connecticut’s total population, yet they account for nearly half (44% or $43 million) of the $102 million asthma acute care charges in 2018.
     
 
      
AAP
 

What You Need To Know
               
What is Asthma?-Learn about the basics of asthma such as signs/symptoms, common triggers, and much more
 
Asthma Action Plans-Learn the importance of having an asthma action plan as well as find a printable Asthma Action Plan (AAP)
 
Educational Materials-Find materials and resources to educate those with asthma, parents, or caregivers
 
Kids' Corner-Find links to kid friendly websites where children can learn all about asthma through fact sheets, games, videos, and activities
 
Healthcare Resources-Learn how you can get insurance and which companies offer patient assistance programs to get medication
 
Regional Activities-Learn about state-funded activities: Easy Breathing
 
Putting on AIRS-Learn about the free home-based asthma program.
 
Healthy Homes-Learn about the Healthy Homes Initiative, Putting on AIRS, and other resources to learn how you can maintain a clean and healthy home
 
Environment-Learn how environmental factors affect your health as well as organizations that work to protect the environment
 
Day Care-Learn how to manage asthma in child care facilities, preschool educational program, and other resources
 

Schools-Learn about programs and initiatives for schools, resources to managing asthma in school-aged children, asthma reporting forms, and links to additional resources

 

Coaches' Corner-Find out about tips on how to manage exercise-induced asthma as well as other resources for coaches

 

Statewide Asthma Partnership-Learn about the partnership and find links to resources about policies and advocacy organizations as well as read the statewide asthma plan

 

Asthma Evaluation-Read the Asthma Program's evaluation reports and access evaluation tools.

 

Asthma Surveillance-Read the burden report, school-based asthma reports, data briefs, fact sheets, and find links to EPA map tracker and more

 

Publications-Read published journal articles

 

National Asthma Educator Certification Board-Find an asthma educator or learn how you can become a certified asthma educator

 

Asthma Educator Institute-Those who qualify to take the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) examination, learn more about the American Lung Association's (ALA) 2-day prep course for the exam

 

 

 The Asthma Program can be reached at: 860-509-8251