Societal Effect of Asthma

Asthma, which affects more than 20 million people in the United States, has a dramatic overall societal effect. This effect stretches from general social impacts to psychological impacts, and even to directly calculated financial impacts.

Social

• According to Claude Lenfant of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, presence of asthma can reduce opportunities for children due to inappropriate response by parents, teachers, school administrators and peers.

Financial

• The direct costs of asthma are estimated at more than $9.4 billion. This cost is born by individuals, families, health systems and insurance providers according to the Allergy and Asthma Advocate.

Psychological

• In addition to well-known asthma symptoms such as wheezing and coughing, asthma also brings with it a certain stigma that can lead to loss of self-esteem and other psychological stresses.

Occupational

• According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, asthma and related issues account for more than 14 million missed days of school and 14.5 million missed days of work every year. These absences create reduced productivity, which is estimated to cost $14 billion per year.

Quality of Life

• Asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing can be physically limiting. These limitations can prevent someone with asthma from undertaking the activities she wants to do, thereby impacting overall quality of life.