Description
Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in Canadian children and is also a serious problem in adults. Asthma imposes a heavy burden on the nation's health care expenditures and reduces the quality of life for individuals with asthma and their families.
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Risk factors
The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but it appears to be the result of a complex interaction of three factors:
- Predisposing factors (such as atopy - a tendency to have an allergic reaction to foreign substances).
- Causal factors, which may sensitize the airways (such as cat and other animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, or workplace contaminants).
- Contributing factors, which may include cigarette smoke during pregnancy and childhood, respiratory infections, and indoor and outdoor air quality.
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Minimizing the Risks
Effective methods to prevent the onset of asthma are still being investigated. It is clear from the development of immune responsiveness that primary prevention of asthma among children likely will focus on the prenatal, perinatal and early childhood periods. A number of factors have shown to either increase or decrease the likelihood of fetal sensitization to allergens, but the influence of these factors is complex. Among adults, decreasing occupational sensitizers and irritants is the most promising approach to prevention.
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Symptoms
Asthma is characterized by cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheeze. Asthma symptoms and attacks (episodes of more severe shortness of breath) usually occur after exposure to allergens, viral respiratory infections ("colds"), exercise or exposure to irritant fumes or gases. These exposures cause both an inflammation of the airway wall and abnormal narrowing of the airways, which lead to asthma symptoms. Avoiding triggers, environmental control, and preventive treatment can reduce symptoms, and treatment medication can control symptoms once they occur.
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Facts and Figures
According to the 2000/01 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), asthma affects 2.2 million people or 8.5% of Canadians 12 years of age and over. Asthma rates are increasing - especially among adult women.
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How the Government of Canada is taking action
The Federal Government working with its partners through the Chronic Respiratory Diseases Program of the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control (Health Canada), has, as its mission, to bring about effective preventive and control measures to reduce suffering, disability and death due to chronic respiratory diseases in Canada.
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Strategies, Programs and Projects
Surveillance
Coordination of national surveillance on chronic respiratory disease; report on "Respiratory Disease in Canada" every three years; WWeb sitewith up to date data.
Population-based research using national databases
Research using: National Population Health Survey, Canadian Community Health Survey (Statistics Canada); Hospitalization Database (Canadian Institute for Health Information); Mortality Database (Statistics Canada); Special Surveys.
Prevention and Control of Asthma
National strategic plan; Member of Canadian Network for Asthma Care; Assistance with resource development; Policy and guidelines development; Interpretation of research literature reviews; Building capacity for prevention and control initiatives.
Prevention and Control of COPD
National strategic plan; Member of Canadian COPD Alliance; Assistance with resource development; Policy and guidelines development; Interpretation of research literature reviews; Building capacity for prevention and control initiatives.
Information dissemination
Respond to internal and external requests for data and information.
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Publications
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Related Sites (Links)
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