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Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Asthma
Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in Canadian children and is also a serious problem in adults. According to the 1998/99 National Population Health Survey (NPHS), it affects 2.5 million people - eight percent of adults and twelve percent of children. 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.
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.
Effective co-management of asthma (individual and family with the health care team) is dependent on:
- education about asthma and its management
- avoidance or control of triggers
- individualized use of medication (controllers and relievers) given in the right way at the right time to achieve best asthma control
- monitoring and follow-up including the assessment of symptoms, response to medication and measurement of lung function
- a personalized guided self-management plan
Asthma needs to be recognized as a serious health problem that requires commitment from governments, the health care system, workplaces, schools, childcare settings, and voluntary health organizations.
Ongoing financial support is needed for national and provincial/territorial coalitions to facilitate joint planning, communication, collaboration, and advocacy.
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