The Leading Cause of School Absenteeism in the United States

Childhood asthma is a chronic respiratory illness that is characterized by an inflammation of the airways. Asthma often limits a child's ability to participate in even the most minor physical activities. It ranges in severity and is triggered by a variety of environmental factors. Asthma is the number one cause of school absenteeism, accounting for more than 14 million missed school days per year. If ignored or left untreated, asthma can cause irreversible lung disease and other respiratory complications that persist into adulthood.

Although asthma has become a nationwide epidemic, New York has been hit especially hard, primarily because of high pollution levels and poor air quality. At last count, more than 250,000 children statewide have been diagnosed with asthma. The New York State Department of Health has responded by partnering with schools, healthcare providers, and a variety of organizations and individuals to combat the virulent effects of childhood asthma.

In honor of Children's Health Month, we have joined in the fight against childhood asthma by providing you with access to the links of several Web sites that are dedicated to the study of the illness. The information contained on the sites ranges from symptoms and treatments, to statistical and governmental data pertaining to asthma.