Asthma has doubled over the last decade and become the leading cause of chronic illness among children. At Sutter Health, we have chosen children's asthma as an area of special focus. Learn more, below, about our asthma program and how it is helping families cope with this disease.

• Asthma - A Growing Problem
• What is Asthma?
• What are We Doing to Help?

Asthma - A Growing Problem

In the United States, asthma affects six million children under the age of 18 with California leading the country in the prevalence of childhood asthma – 7.1 percent vs. a national average of 6.4 percent. In 2002 alone, more than 4 million of these children suffered from an asthma attack or episode. Consider these facts:

• Asthma sends hundreds of thousands of children to the emergency room each year.
• Asthma is the third most common reason children under age 15 are hospitalized.

Despite advancements in care, sudden death from asthma has increased, nearly two-fold according to some figures. These frightening statistics prompted Sutter Health to focus on childhood asthma.
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What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lung's air passages that can make breathing difficult. It is a lifelong (chronic) disease with symptoms that can range from mild to severe.

Children born prematurely or those exposed to tobacco smoke are more likely to develop asthma. So are children with allergies or eczema or a family history of asthma, allergies, or eczema. Asthma is neither an emotional illness or contagious.

Laern more from our Health Information Library:
What is asthma?
Symptoms
Causes
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are We Doing to Help?

After studying an extensive body of scientific evidence we developed a best practice model of care for pediatric asthma patients.

The following materials are available for our patients and their families:

• Sutter Health Asthma Action Plans - these are available to Sutter Health hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care clinics, and physician offices. You can print copies of these plans to discuss with your doctor:
  Asthma Action Plans
  


• Asthma education booklet - for parents and families of children with asthma.
  A Parent's Guide to Managing Your Child's Asthma (292k PDF)

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