Summary
Nearly 6 million Californians report that they have difficulty breathing. Moreover, according to this policy brief, asthma among California adults increased from 2001 to 2003 across all age groups and 3.4 million who haven't been diagnosed with asthma suffer from asthma-like symptoms, such as wheezing. The study also shows that asthma and asthma-like breathing problems disproportionately affect young children, African Americans and American Indian/Alaska Natives. The brief also details the differences among California counties in terms of asthma symptoms and other asthma-like breathing problems. The brief concludes with policy recommendations to address its findings. The findings of the policy brief are based on the 2001 and 2003 California Health Interview Survey. Funding for this policy brief was provided by The California Endowment.
