One in six US high school students has asthma

August 11, 2005

One in six US high school students has asthma-study By Simao

2 hours, 55 minutes ago

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8-11-05

ATLANTA (Reuters) - One out of every six U.S. high school students

suffers from asthma and more than one-third of those report having

an attack in the previous year, according to a federal study

released on Thursday that suggests schools do more to manage the

potentially fatal lung disease.

Asthma, which is marked by breathing difficulties, coughing and

inflammation of the airways, disproportionately affects children and

adolescents. In some states, it is the leading cause of absenteeism

in schools.

In 2003, an estimated 16.1 percent of those enrolled in grades 9

through 12 said they were suffering from the disease, according to a

survey of more than 13,000 students by the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention.

Nearly 38 percent reported an asthma attack or episode in the 12

months before the survey, the CDC said.

The current rate of asthma reported by the students was about double

that found in a separate 2003 federal study that polled parents. CDC

researchers said more research was needed to explain the factors

behind the discrepancy.

The Atlanta-based agency, however, urged educators to develop plans

to deal with students' asthma, which can be triggered by exposure to

certain allergens commonly found in schools, such as chalk dust,

mold, and cleaning products.

Teen smoking and exposure to diesel fuel from school buses also may

contribute to attacks in classrooms.

" Schools can help improve asthma management among students whose

asthma is not well-controlled by providing health services,

education and control of environmental triggers, " the CDC said in a

weekly health report.

The CDC published its study amid growing debate over the scope of

asthma in the nation. Although overall cases of the disease rose 75

percent between 1980 and 1998, there are signs that the disease has

stabilized since then.

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