More California Residents Diagnosed With Asthma
The number of California residents diagnosed with asthma increased to 4.5 million, or 13% of the population, by 2003, from four million in 2001, according to a study released Tuesday by the University of California-Los Angeles Center for Health Policy Research, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
The study found that 7% of residents with asthma reported suffering an asthma attack or other symptoms. In addition, the study found that children age five and younger had the highest incidence of asthma or asthma-like symptoms, at 19%.
About 10% of Riverside County residents were diagnosed with asthma in 2003, down slightly from 2001, according to the study. Half of that amount reported suffering an attack or symptoms.
In San Bernardino County, 15% of residents were diagnosed in 2003, up 1% from 2001. About 9% of those diagnosed reported suffering an attack or symptoms.
The two Inland counties contain among the worst fine-particle pollution in the nation (Fisher, Riverside Press-Enterprise, 10/16).