The St. Paul Saints held a smoke-free night on May 23, 2008. View pictures from the game.
Scope of the problem
An estimated 11.1% of Minnesota adults age 18 and older reported they had been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lives and 7.8% reported they still had asthma.
- An estimated 6.6% or approximately 80,000 Minnesota children age 0-17 are reported to have asthma.
- 19.5% of Minnesota families with children who have asthma reported being greatly or moderately affected by their child’s health condition.
- 11% of Minnesota adults with asthma visited an emergency room or urgent care center at least once in the past year because of their asthma.
- Nearly 21% of Minnesota adults with asthma reported one or more days in the past year in which their activities were limited due to asthma.
- Rates of hospitalizations and emergency room visits for asthma are highest in:
- Children less than five years old
- The seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area when compared to any other region in the state
o Report their health status as fair or poor
o Be obese
Overall, Minnesota’s asthma rates are lower than national rates; however, within certain subgroups of the population, there are areas of concern. Minnesotans with disabilities and those with the lowest incomes, especially those living in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, children, Blacks/African Americans and Native Americans are at the highest risk for poorly controlled asthma, based on high rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma. Asthma-related emergency department visits are an indication of uncontrolled asthma, and can also be an indication of a lack of a medical home (i.e., no primary care).
The Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program has established an asthma surveillance system to better understand and describe the burden of asthma in Minnesota.
Other resources
Breathing Space, a quarterly respiratory disease newsletter, is produced by the Minnesota Department of Health. The purpose of this newsletter is to provide health professionals, school nurses, and community members with current research, information, and resources on respiratory disease. To view or receive Breathing Space, the electronic asthma newsletter created by the Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program click here.
The Asthma Action Plan (AAP) is a personalized, written form that contains information on how to manage a person’s asthma at home, school or work. The patient and health care provider work out a plan together and then the health care provider completes the form. It is designed to include information to help asthma patients and medical professionals manage and prevent asthma symptoms while providing crucial information to those who contact or care for people with asthma. MDH has an on-line interactive asthma action plan program that can be used to create individualized action plans. Click here to see the program. Blank copies can be found in English and Spanish at http://www.health.state.mn.us/asthma/AAP-nonpro.html
For more information
Asthma in Minnesota, April 2007
Asthma in Minnesota: 2005 Epidemiology Report
Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program
Minnesota Asthma Coalition
Winning with Asthma: A program for coaches or other adults who work with children who have asthma.
Asthma activities around Minnesota
The Metro Area Regional Asthma Coalition includes the Steps communities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The South West Minnesota Regional Asthma Coalition includes the Steps community of Willmar.
The South East Minnesota Regional Asthma Coalition includes the Steps community of Rochester.
Camp SuperKids is a summer camp for youth with asthma.
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program www.health.state.mn.us/asthma
