State of Rhode Island: Department of Health
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Asthma Data
- Purpose: To determine trends and critical populations that have asthma
- Key Information: The prevalence and health care usage of adults, children, and smokers with asthma
Rhode Island Numbers
Adult Prevalence
- In 2009, just over 82,000 Rhode Island adults (ages 18+) reported that they currently had asthma.
- Between 2006 and 2009, the percentage of adults with self-reported current asthma was stable, ranging from 10% to 11%.
- In Rhode Island, asthma is more common among adult women (13%) than men (7%).
- Among women, current asthma prevalence is higher in the18–44 year old age group (14%) than in those 65 years of age and older (10%).
- Adults with less than a high school education are more likely to be diagnosed with current asthma compared with adults with more education (13% vs. 10%).
- Adults with less than a high school education are more likely to be diagnosed with current asthma compared with adults with more education (13% vs. 10%).
Note: Current asthma is defined as adults diagnosed with asthma by a physician and who still had asthma at the time of the survey as reported by the respondent.
Source: 2000 to 2009 Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Child Prevalence
- In 2009, approximately 25,000 children (0-17 years of age) in Rhode Island were reported as having doctor-diagnosed current asthma (11%).
- There has been little change in current asthma prevalence among children in Rhode Island and nationally between 2005 and 2009.
- In Rhode Island, asthma is more common in boys ages 5-11 and 12-17 than in girls in these age groups.
Note: For each year of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, there are two asthma prevalence measures. Lifetime asthma is defined as an affirmative response to the question "Have you ever been told by a doctor {nurse or other health professional} that you have asthma?" Current asthma is defined as an affirmative response to that question followed by an affirmative response to the subsequent question.
Source: 2005 to 2009 Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; 2005 to 2008 National Health Interview Survey
Hospitalization Rates
- In 2009, there were over 1,800 hospital discharges for asthma in RI where asthma was the principal (first) reason of admission.
- Over a nine-year period (2001 to 2009), the rate of asthma hospitalizations slowly increased from 13 per 10,000 Rhode Islanders in 2001 to 17 per 10,000 Rhode Islanders in 2009.
Note: Age-adjusted to the year 2000 U.S. standard population. All rates are per 10,000 people.The first diagnosis is defined as the principal or primary discharge diagnosis of asthma (ICD-9-CM codes 493.00 – 493.92).
Source: 2001–2009 Rhode Island Hospital Discharge Data
Emergency Department Visits
- Since 2005, asthma-related emergency department rates have remained fairly constant at approximately 50 to 56 emergency department visits per 10,000 individuals per year.
Note: Age-adjusted to the year 2000 U.S. standard population. All rates are per 10,000 people.The first diagnosis is defined as the principal or primary discharge diagnosis of asthma (ICD-9-CM codes 493.00 – 493.92).
Source: 2001–2009 Rhode Island Hospital Patient Data
Smoking Rates Among Rhode Island Adults With and Without Asthma
| Description | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated number and percent of Rhode Island adults with current asthma | 82,357 | 10% |
| Estimated number and percent of Rhode Island adults who smoke | 124,085 | 15% |
| Percent of asthmatic adults who smoke | 14% | |
| Percent of non-asthmatic adults who smoke | 15% |
Source: 2009 Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Hospitalization Rates by Age/Ethnicity, 2006-2008
- Asthma hospitalization rates indicate persistent disparities in the use of hospital services for asthma among racial and ethnic groups.
- Non-Hispanic white children's hospitalization rate for asthma is 38.4 per 10,000 children, compared to 89.5 per 10,000 children for Non-Hispanic black children.
Source: 2001–2009 Rhode Island Hospital Patient Data