The Worst Cities in the U.S. for Asthma
May 1, 2012 -- Memphis residents may have a new reason to sing the blues, if they can catch their breath.
A new report ranks the southern city as the most challenging city in the U.S. to live with asthma, followed closely by New Haven, Conn., and Knoxville, Tenn.
The 2012 list of "Asthma Capitals" takes into account factors like prevalence of asthma, poor air quality, and use of asthma medications in the nation's 100 largest metro areas.
"Many local community issues like air pollution, poverty, or crowded emergency rooms are asthma-related issues that affect one patient at a time, one day at a time, right here in our own cities and towns," says Bill McLin, president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), which compiled the report.
Overall, the report showed that the prevalence of asthma in the top 100 cities did not change much from 2011 to 2012. Meanwhile, the average air quality improved from a grade of D in 2011 to a C- in 2012.
At the bottom of the list, the top 10 least challenging places to live with asthma are:
Researchers say the report is a reminder that asthma is a national problem, with nearly 25 million people in the U.S. living with the condition. But the risk factors for many asthma problems are local.
Asthma is a chronic disease in which the airways in the lungs narrow and make it difficult to breathe. During an asthma attack, a person may experience chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
A new report ranks the southern city as the most challenging city in the U.S. to live with asthma, followed closely by New Haven, Conn., and Knoxville, Tenn.
The 2012 list of "Asthma Capitals" takes into account factors like prevalence of asthma, poor air quality, and use of asthma medications in the nation's 100 largest metro areas.
"Many local community issues like air pollution, poverty, or crowded emergency rooms are asthma-related issues that affect one patient at a time, one day at a time, right here in our own cities and towns," says Bill McLin, president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), which compiled the report.
Overall, the report showed that the prevalence of asthma in the top 100 cities did not change much from 2011 to 2012. Meanwhile, the average air quality improved from a grade of D in 2011 to a C- in 2012.
Asthma Cities: The Best and the Worst
2012 Ranking | City |
1 | Memphis, Tenn. |
2 | New Haven, Conn. |
3 | Knoxville, Tenn. |
4 | Pittsburgh, Pa. |
5 | Chattanooga, Tenn. |
6 | Hartford, Conn. |
7 | St. Louis, Mo. |
8 | Oklahoma City, Okla. |
9 | McAllen, Texas |
10 | Allentown, Pa. |
At the bottom of the list, the top 10 least challenging places to live with asthma are:
2012 Ranking | City |
100 | San Francisco, Calif. |
99 | Seattle, Wash. |
98 | Portland, Ore. |
97 | Greenville, S.C. |
96 | Baton Rouge, La. |
95 | Kansas City, Mo. |
94 | Austin, Texas |
93 | Omaha, Neb. |
92 | Charleston, S.C. |
91 | Des Moines, Iowa |
Asthma: National Problem, Local Risks
Researchers say the report is a reminder that asthma is a national problem, with nearly 25 million people in the U.S. living with the condition. But the risk factors for many asthma problems are local.
Asthma is a chronic disease in which the airways in the lungs narrow and make it difficult to breathe. During an asthma attack, a person may experience chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
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