Uncontrolled Asthma among Adults, 2016

More than 60% of adults with current asthma had uncontrolled asthma

Controlled asthma has a minimal impact on everyday living. Uncontrolled asthma with frequent and intense episodes of symptoms can have a significant cost to families and society because it may relate to an increased risk of an emergency department visit, hospitalization, and work and school absenteeism. Asthma control was classified as well-controlled or uncontrolled based on the national asthma guidelines.*

A total of 61.9% of adults with current asthma had uncontrolled asthma. The level of asthma control varies by demographic characteristics but differences were not significant. It also varies by state but does not seem to follow a specific geographic pattern. The percentage with uncontrolled asthma for adults ranged from 52.4% in Massachusetts to 73.3% in Missouri. (See maps above).

CDC’s National Asthma Control Program (NACP) was created in 1999 to help the millions of people with asthma in the United States gain control over their disease. The NACP conducts national asthma surveillance and funds states to help them improve their asthma surveillance and to focus efforts and resources where they are needed.
Percentage with Uncontrolled Asthma by Demographics**
bar chart showing % of adults with uncontrolled asthma, by demographics. Table below repeats this data.

Abbreviation: NH, Non-Hispanic

Characteristic Prevalence
(percent)
95% Confidence
Interval
Male 58.7 54.7 – 62.5
Female 63.5 60.7 – 66.3
18-34 years 57.6 52.3 – 62.6
35-54 years 61.9 57.9 – 65.7
55-64 years 66.6 62.5 – 70.4
65+ years 62.9 58.9 – 66.7
NH White 60.6 58.1 – 63.0
NH Black 62.2 54.7 – 69.2
Hispanic 68.0 60.2 – 75.0
NH Other 60.5 49.9 – 70.1

 **Includes listed states but excludes Puerto Rico

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)—Adult Asthma Call-back Survey Data, 2016

*National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert panel report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, 2007. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdfpdf iconexternal icon.

Includes persons who answered “yes” to the questions: “Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you had asthma?” and “Do you still have asthma?”

Page last reviewed: July 8, 2019