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Virginia Value:
Percentage of adults who reported ever being told by a health professional that they currently have asthma
Virginia Rank:
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Percentage of adults who reported ever being told by a health professional that they currently have asthma
US Value: 10.4%
Top State(s): Texas: 7.9%
Bottom State(s): Rhode Island: 13.3%
Definition: Percentage of adults who reported ever being told by a health professional that they currently have asthma
Data Source and Years(s): CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2022
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2024.
Asthma is a serious chronic disease that affects the lungs. Asthma can cause symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing and coughing. Common asthma triggers include tobacco smoke, dust mites, outdoor air pollution, pets and mold. Risk factors for asthma include having allergies, childhood respiratory infections and family history of asthma. A person can be diagnosed with asthma at any point in their life.
Asthma is associated with 14.2 million lost work days among adults every year. A study estimated that asthma cost the United States $81.9 billion in medical costs and missed school or work days in 2013.
According to America’s Health Rankings data, the prevalence of asthma is higher among:
Additionally, the Asthma Disparities in America report found that:
A doctor can determine if a person has asthma by asking questions about their breathing and family history. The doctor might perform a spirometry test to see how well the lungs are working. Asthma can be controlled by following your doctor’s advice and avoiding asthma triggers. Sometimes, an allergist is required to better manage symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology has a tool to help find an allergist.
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps found that having a professional perform a healthy home environment assessment reduces exposures to allergens, improves air quality and leads to better asthma management.
Healthy People 2030 has multiple objectives related to respiratory disease, including:
Nurmagambetov, Tursynbek, Robin Kuwahara, and Paul Garbe. “The Economic Burden of Asthma in the United States, 2008–2013.” Annals of the American Thoracic Society 15, no. 3 (March 2018): 348–56. https://doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.201703-259OC.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.