Women and Asthma
IN NORTH CAROLINA
What is Asthma?
n Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung
disease that inflames and narrows the
airways.1
n Common signs and symptoms of asthma
may include wheezing (a whistling sound
when you breathe), chest tightness,
shortness of breath, and coughing.
n For people with asthma, contact with
allergens or asthma triggers (like pollen,
mold, animal dander, dust mites),
secondhand tobacco smoke, air
pollution, occupational hazards, exercise,
and airway infections may make asthma
symptoms worse. When asthma
symptoms get intense and/or when there
are additional symptoms, an asthma
attack may occur.
n Severe asthma attacks may require
emergency care, and they can cause
death.
Why is asthma an important
health issue for women?
n Women* are more likely than men* to
have asthma. In North Carolina, nearly
two times as many women as men had
current asthma in 2011 (11.6% of women
vs. 5.9 of men).2
n Women are more likely than men to be
hospitalized for asthma. In North
Carolina in 2011, the asthma
hospitalization rate was 12.5 per 10,000
population for women, compared to 7.8
per 10,000 for men.3
n Women have a higher asthma death rate.
In North Carolina in 2011, there were
64 deaths among women versus 35 for
men.4
*Age 18 and older
11.6% of women
5.9% of men