Source: WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2015-2021
Approximately 1 in 10 (10%) adults in WNC have been diagnosed with asthma. The following adult populations were significantly more likely to have been diagnosed with asthma in 2021:
Differences in health outcomes across social groups, economic status, and racial/ethnic identity are closely linked with disparities in social determinants of health, which disproportionately burden individuals and communities who experience systemic disadvantage and/ or discrimination. See our data story on the social determinants of health to learn more about how the conditions in which people are born, live, work, play, learn, worship, and age can influence their ability to achieve good health for themselves and their families.
Source: WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2012-2021
In 2015, 13.4% of North Carolinians answered “yes” when asked if they had ever been told by a healthcare professional that they had asthma.
About 1 in 10 children (10%) had asthma and 1 in 12 adults (8%) had asthma in 2009. Women were more likely than men and boys more likely than girls to have asthma.
In 2004, the total estimated economic cost of asthma, including direct and indirect costs, for North Carolina exceeded $706 million dollars.
The greatest rise in asthma rates was among black children (almost a 50% increase) from 2001 through 2009.
Source: WNCHN – Online Key Informant Survey, 2018
The information in this section should be interpreted and used with care. It should be used only to help local health departments and agencies begin to understand community perceptions about local health issues. Communities are strongly encouraged to collect their own, local-level data to inform local planning and evaluation activities.
“More open conversations about asthma and upper respiratory infections.”
“The focus on overall health and nutrition is very helpful to overcoming this. Also, there is a good focus on keeping our air clean and healthful.”
“Air quality, pollution, and lack of low cost and accessible medical care…We should acknowledge barriers to people… including transportation, awareness of services, stigma around free medical care, and treatment when receiving care or services.”
The western North Carolina region includes 17 communities: 16 counties and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER