Asthma Cases Increasing

Nov. 24, 1999

Doctors are baffled by an increase in the number of kids diagnosed with asthma. Today's Family Now report explains what may be happening and what families can do to lessen their child's chances of developing the disease.

Brody Bennett/Asthma Sufferer: "SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T BREATHE AND YOU GET LIKE A COUGH."

Eight-year-old Brody Bennett was recently diagnosed with asthma, the mysterious disease with no known cause or cure. Brody is just one of about 47,000 children in Utah who have asthma - a growing number, according to the Utah Chapter of the American Lung Association.

Vicki Daniels/American Lung Association: "WE'RE FINDING IT HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE LAST TEN YEARS. THERE ARE PROBABLY AS MANY AS SEVEN PERCENT OF THE CHILDREN IN UTAH UNDER THE AGE OF 18 THAT HAVE ASTHMA."

And those numbers aren't unique to Utah. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 17 million Americans have asthma, an increase of more than 70 percent from 1980. No one knows why, but the current theory is society's exposure to allergens, indoor and outdoor pollution, mold, dust mites, and cigarette smoke.

For now, asthma sufferers must learn to manage. The lung association and United HealthCare of Utah are helping recently diagnosed children with a class teaching them what to do when they have an attack and how to take their medication.

Leslie Bennett/Asthma Management Teacher: "WHAT THREE THINGS DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUR ASTHMA MEDICINE?"

Doctors say there are many things that can lessen a child's chances.

• Spend more time outdoors
• Avoid tobacco smoke
• Keep their weight down

The six-session class, called "Open Airways to Schools," is now taught throughout the year in Utah's elementary schools.