ChiJAM
05-07-2003, 02:29 PM
Interesting read...
City leads nation in asthma cases
By Ed McKinley
Asthma sufferers, their lungs inflamed by airborne particles from coal-fired power plants and diesel engines, are rushed to emergency rooms in the Chicago area at double the national rate, exacting a significant toll in misery and economic loss, according to the American Lung Assn. of Metropolitan Chicago.
Legislation pending in the Illinois General Assembly is aimed at raising money for research and treatment of the disease, and the state's politicians and health advocates observed National Asthma Awareness Day Tuesday by calling for action.
More than 500,000 of the 7.8 million people in Cook and surrounding counties have been diagnosed with asthma. They account for 70,000 emergency room visits each year and 19,000 hospitalizations annually, says Joel Africk, CEO of the local branch of the lung association.
Among African Americans in the metropolitan area, the asthma rate is 43% higher than the national average. For whites, it's 33% higher here, Mr. Africk said. The death rate for blacks is four times the national average, according to a report the association released Tuesday.
Some Chicago area employers consider asthma the leading cause of family medical leave requests, Mr. Africk said. Research indicates asthma puts more Illinois children in the hospital than any other cause and accounts for more days of missed school than does any other problem.
A Chicagoan passing through a metal detector at O'Hare International Airport recently noticed asthma inhalers in three consecutive coin bins, Mr. Africk said.
The high incidence of asthma in the Chicago region can be traced to two coal-burning electric plants and lots of motor vehicles, he noted. Inadequate medical care among the city's poor also contributes to the problem, he said. Other causes mentioned in the association's report include dust mites, cockroaches, pollen, animal dander, exercise, cold air and stress.
Asthma hits hard among minority groups, Mr. Africk said. Among school children, 25 % of Puerto Rican Hispanics have been stricken, as have nearly 17% of African Americans and 13% of whites.
Asthma claimed 68 lives in Illinois and 5,500 nationally in 2000, but the real toll is measured in suffering and economic loss, Mr. Africk said.
Mr. Africk cites the need for research into causes and cures while assisting those who already have the disease. The American Lung Assn. of Metropolitan Chicago teaches a six-session course on managing the symptoms to about 900 youngsters each year and funds the Asthma Clinical Research Center at four major teaching hospitals in Chicago.
His group participates in fund-raising walks, which are scheduled this year for September at locations throughout the state.
Proposals to combat asthma are being touted by Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who calls the package the "Illinois Asthma Initiative," according to a statement released by his office.
Senate Bill 1401 would establish a check-off on Illinois income tax forms to funnel contributions to the lung association's clinical research project, according to the statement. Senate Bill 1079 would prohibit spraying pesticides at daycare facilities when children are present and would require that everything handled by children be removed before daycare centers are sprayed. Senate Bill 467 would prohibit insurance companies from limiting or denying inhalers when a doctor calls for the treatment.
An asthma treatment fund for people under 18 may be funded with money from the Tobacco Settlement Fund, the statement from Mr. Quinn's office said.
City leads nation in asthma cases
By Ed McKinley
Asthma sufferers, their lungs inflamed by airborne particles from coal-fired power plants and diesel engines, are rushed to emergency rooms in the Chicago area at double the national rate, exacting a significant toll in misery and economic loss, according to the American Lung Assn. of Metropolitan Chicago.
Legislation pending in the Illinois General Assembly is aimed at raising money for research and treatment of the disease, and the state's politicians and health advocates observed National Asthma Awareness Day Tuesday by calling for action.
More than 500,000 of the 7.8 million people in Cook and surrounding counties have been diagnosed with asthma. They account for 70,000 emergency room visits each year and 19,000 hospitalizations annually, says Joel Africk, CEO of the local branch of the lung association.
Among African Americans in the metropolitan area, the asthma rate is 43% higher than the national average. For whites, it's 33% higher here, Mr. Africk said. The death rate for blacks is four times the national average, according to a report the association released Tuesday.
Some Chicago area employers consider asthma the leading cause of family medical leave requests, Mr. Africk said. Research indicates asthma puts more Illinois children in the hospital than any other cause and accounts for more days of missed school than does any other problem.
A Chicagoan passing through a metal detector at O'Hare International Airport recently noticed asthma inhalers in three consecutive coin bins, Mr. Africk said.
The high incidence of asthma in the Chicago region can be traced to two coal-burning electric plants and lots of motor vehicles, he noted. Inadequate medical care among the city's poor also contributes to the problem, he said. Other causes mentioned in the association's report include dust mites, cockroaches, pollen, animal dander, exercise, cold air and stress.
Asthma hits hard among minority groups, Mr. Africk said. Among school children, 25 % of Puerto Rican Hispanics have been stricken, as have nearly 17% of African Americans and 13% of whites.
Asthma claimed 68 lives in Illinois and 5,500 nationally in 2000, but the real toll is measured in suffering and economic loss, Mr. Africk said.
Mr. Africk cites the need for research into causes and cures while assisting those who already have the disease. The American Lung Assn. of Metropolitan Chicago teaches a six-session course on managing the symptoms to about 900 youngsters each year and funds the Asthma Clinical Research Center at four major teaching hospitals in Chicago.
His group participates in fund-raising walks, which are scheduled this year for September at locations throughout the state.
Proposals to combat asthma are being touted by Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who calls the package the "Illinois Asthma Initiative," according to a statement released by his office.
Senate Bill 1401 would establish a check-off on Illinois income tax forms to funnel contributions to the lung association's clinical research project, according to the statement. Senate Bill 1079 would prohibit spraying pesticides at daycare facilities when children are present and would require that everything handled by children be removed before daycare centers are sprayed. Senate Bill 467 would prohibit insurance companies from limiting or denying inhalers when a doctor calls for the treatment.
An asthma treatment fund for people under 18 may be funded with money from the Tobacco Settlement Fund, the statement from Mr. Quinn's office said.