Asthma Capitals: Ranking Reveals 10 Worst Cities For Asthma-Sufferers

For people with asthma, some cities are harder to live in than others.

A new ranking from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America shows just which cities are the worst for people who have asthma, taking into account issues like pollen counts, ozone days and air quality, the prevalence of asthma medication use and public smoking bans.

For the ranking, the AAFA looked at 12 overall factors in 100 cities around the U.S., based on data from a number of sources including the U.S. Census, National Annual Pollen Measurements and Reports, the CDC's National Health Interview Survey and the EPA's Air Quality System Air Quality and Ozone Data.

"Many local community issues like air pollution, poverty or crowded emergency rooms are asthma-related issues that affect one patient at a time, one day at a time, right here in our own cities and towns," Bill McLin, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), said in a statement.

The ranking comes on the heels of a CDC report showing that asthma affected 8.4 percent of the U.S. population, or 25.7 million people, in 2010 -- an increase from 7.3 percent in 2001, Everyday Health reported.

In addition, asthma seems to be slightly more prevalent among women than men, with 9.2 percent of women reporting having asthma compared with 7 percent of men, MSNBC reported.

There are multiple known asthma triggers, according to the Mayo Clinic, including allergens (like pollen or dander), air pollution, exercise, allergic reactions, stress, the cold, some medications and allergic food reactions. Genetics may also play a part.

To find out the No. 1 asthma "capital" in the U.S., according to the AAFA, click through the slideshow of the 10 biggest asthma capitals. Do you live in any of these cities? Tell us in the comments if you think they deserve to be in the ranking!

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• 10. Allentown, PA

  According to the AAFA analysis, the estimated asthma prevalence in Allentown is worse than average, the self-reported prevalence of asthma is worse than average, and the crude asthma death rate is better than average. <br> <br> <strong>More metrics:</strong> <br> <br> Pollen Score: Average <br> <br> Air Quality: Worse than average <br> <br> Public Smoke-free Laws: Worse than average <br> <br> Poverty Rate: Better than average <br> <br> Uninsured Rate: Better than average <br> <br> Access Laws For School Inhalers: Better than average <br> <br> How Many Use "Quick-Relief" Medications: Average <br> <br> How Many Use Controller Medications: Average <br> <br> The Number Of Asthma Specialists: Worse than average

• 9. McAllen, TX

  According to the AAFA analysis, the estimated asthma prevalence in New Haven is better than average, the self-reported prevalence of asthma is better than average, and the crude asthma death rate is better than average. <br> <br> <strong>More metrics:</strong> <br> <br> Pollen Score: Worse than average <br> <br> Air Quality: Better than average <br> <br> Public Smoke-free Laws: Worse than average <br> <br> Poverty Rate: Worse than average <br> <br> Uninsured Rate: Worse than average <br> <br> Access Laws For School Inhalers: Better than average <br> <br> How Many Use "Quick-Relief" Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> How Many Use Controller Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> The Number Of Asthma Specialists: Worse than average

• 8. Oklahoma City, OK

  According to the AAFA analysis, the estimated asthma prevalence in Oklahoma City is worse than average, the self-reported prevalence of asthma is worse than average, and the crude asthma death rate is average. <br> <br> <strong>More metrics:</strong> <br> <br> Pollen Score: Worse than average <br> <br> Air Quality: Better than average <br> <br> Public Smoke-free Laws: Worse than average <br> <br> Poverty Rate: Worse than average <br> <br> Uninsured Rate: Worse than average <br> <br> Access Laws For School Inhalers: Better than average <br> <br> How Many Use "Quick-Relief" Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> How Many Use Controller Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> The Number Of Asthma Specialists: Better than average

• 7. St. Louis, MO

  According to the AAFA analysis, the estimated asthma prevalence in St. Louis is worse than average, the self-reported prevalence of asthma is average, and the crude asthma death rate is better than average. <br> <br> <strong>More metrics:</strong> <br> <br> Pollen Score: Worse than average <br> <br> Air Quality: Average <br> <br> Public Smoke-free Laws: Worse than average <br> <br> Poverty Rate: Worse than average <br> <br> Uninsured Rate: Better than average <br> <br> Access Laws For School Inhalers: Better than average <br> <br> How Many Use "Quick-Relief" Medications: Average <br> <br> How Many Use Controller Medications: Average <br> <br> The Number Of Asthma Specialists: Better than average

• 6. Hartford, CT

  According to the AAFA analysis, the estimated asthma prevalence in Hartford is worse than average, the self-reported prevalence of asthma is worse than average, and the crude asthma death rate is worse than average. <br> <br> <strong>More metrics:</strong> <br> <br> Pollen Score: Worse than average <br> <br> Air Quality: Average <br> <br> Public Smoke-free Laws: Worse than average <br> <br> Poverty Rate: Better Than Average <br> <br> Uninsured Rate: Better Than average <br> <br> Access Laws For School Inhalers: Better than average <br> <br> How Many Use "Quick-Relief" Medications: Average <br> <br> How Many Use Controller Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> The Number Of Asthma Specialists: Worse than average

• 5. Chattanooga, TN

  According to the AAFA analysis, the estimated asthma prevalence in Chattanooga is average, the self-reported prevalence of asthma is better than average, and the crude asthma death rate is average. <br> <br> <strong>More metrics:</strong> <br> <br> Pollen Score: Worse than average <br> <br> Air Quality: Worse than average <br> <br> Public Smoke-free Laws: Worse than average <br> <br> Poverty Rate: Worse than average <br> <br> Uninsured Rate: Average <br> <br> Access Laws For School Inhalers: Better than average <br> <br> How Many Use "Quick-Relief" Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> How Many Use Controller Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> The Number Of Asthma Specialists: Better than average

• 4. Pittsburgh, PA

  According to the AAFA analysis, the estimated asthma prevalence in PIttsburgh is worse than average, the self-reported prevalence of asthma is worse than average, and the crude asthma death rate is better than average. <br> <br> <strong>More metrics:</strong> <br> <br> Pollen Score: Worse than average <br> <br> Air Quality: Worse than average <br> <br> Public Smoke-free Laws: Worse than average <br> <br> Poverty Rate: Better than average <br> <br> Uninsured Rate: Better than average <br> <br> Access Laws For School Inhalers: Better than average <br> <br> How Many Use "Quick-Relief" Medications: Average <br> <br> How Many Use Controller Medications: Average <br> <br> The Number Of Asthma Specialists: Better than average

• 3. Knoxville, TN

  According to the AAFA analysis, the estimated asthma prevalence in Knoxville is average, the self-reported prevalence of asthma is better than average, and the crude asthma death rate is better than average. <br> <br> <strong>More metrics:</strong> <br> <br> Pollen Score: Worse than average <br> <br> Air Quality: Worse than average <br> <br> Public Smoke-free Laws: Worse than average <br> <br> Poverty Rate: Average <br> <br> Uninsured Rate: Better than average <br> <br> Access Laws For School Inhalers: Better than average <br> <br> How Many Use "Quick-Relief" Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> How Many Use Controller Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> The Number Of Asthma Specialists: Better than average

• 2. New Haven, CT

  According to the AAFA analysis, the estimated asthma prevalence in New Haven is worse than average, the self-reported prevalence of asthma is worse than average, and the crude asthma death rate is better than average. <br> <br> <strong>More metrics:</strong> <br> <br> Pollen Score: Worse than average <br> <br> Air Quality: Worse than average <br> <br> Public Smoke-free Laws: Worse than average <br> <br> Poverty Rate: Better than average <br> <br> Uninsured Rate: Better than average <br> <br> Access Laws For School Inhalers: Better than average <br> <br> How Many Use "Quick-Relief" Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> How Many Use Controller Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> The Number Of Asthma Specialists: Better than average

• 1. Memphis, TN

  According to the AAFA analysis, the estimated asthma prevalence in Memphis is average, the self-reported prevalence of asthma is better than average, but the crude asthma death rate is worse than average. <br> <br> <strong>More metrics:</strong> <br> <br> Pollen Score: Worse than average <br> <br> Air Quality: Worse than average <br> <br> Public Smoke-free Laws: Worse than average <br> <br> Poverty Rate: Worse than average <br> <br> Uninsured Rate: Average <br> <br> Access Laws For School Inhalers: Better than average <br> <br> How Many Use "Quick-Relief" Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> How Many Use Controller Medications: Worse than average <br> <br> The Number Of Asthma Specialists: Better than average

• How Asthma Is Triggered

  Jennifer Whitney explains how asthma is triggered and differences between male and female asthma issues.

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Comments

[carmonyj]

02:32 PM on 10/10/2012

bogus study, all cities on this list here because no smoking ban, not because of poor air quality

[EMBuckles]

01:39 AM on 10/10/2012

They left out Richmond, Virginia. It probably should be at least in the top five if not number one. Allergy sufferers have it bad here too.

[Tivonit]

12:02 PM on 05/07/2012

I'm an asthmatic in Pittsburgh and I'm not at all surprised to see it at #4. The abundance of public smoking/lack of a total indoor ban and no outdoor regulations make it especially difficult to breathe here.

[tapeatsbill]

11:45 PM on 05/06/2012

Have moderate asthma out here in Pacific NW. My doc advised to stop eating inflamation causing foods: potatoes, all dairy, all peppers, egg plant, red meat and sugar and gluten. I'm doing real well except I cheat on peppers, sugar and gluten.

My need for asthma meds have been cut in half. I'm happy and working on the sugars. Okay I cheat on red meat too. Gotta have a burger once in a while!

[brooklyncitizen]

11:56 PM on 05/03/2012

All are cities I'd never go to.

[Leo Camacho]

04:20 PM on 05/02/2012

I THINK THEY GOT IT WRONG,#1 IS THE BRONX COUNTY IN NEW YORK.

[mitsecl]

02:36 PM on 05/02/2012

The Imperial Valley in California has horrible air quality...high percentage of asthma....

[TexiCali]

02:30 PM on 05/02/2012

My daughter had severe asthma when we lived in San Antonio, Tx. She still suffered with it when she lived in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and her son was diagnosed with it as a baby. They both required daily asthma and allergy medications.
They moved to Colorado, and now both of them only need their asthma and allergy medications during the spring pollen season.
I have mild allergies, but I had to take Allegra daily in Texas. Now that I live in California, I need no allergy meds at all.

[grappler1987]

02:04 PM on 05/02/2012

The American Lung Association ranks five California cities as having the worst air pollution in the nation. Yet, asthma is worse out East according to this article. Strange.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/real_estate/1204/gallery.polluted-cities/index.html

[skatscan]

01:32 PM on 05/02/2012

Ever since the Sunsphere became the Wigsphere, Knoxville's asthma's rates have skyrocketed.

[Tivonit]

11:56 AM on 05/07/2012

Lol I thought the Simpsons made that up!

[Cynthia Rays]

12:27 PM on 05/02/2012

Sometimes the worst place for asthma is in your own homes. Cleaning products, air fresheners, dryer sheets, fragrance put in everything, mold in dry wall, and dust. Honestly, who cleans like our grandmas did? (with less toxic products than todays)

[wowme]

12:25 PM on 05/02/2012

I live in TN and bad for my allergies also

[UofMTigerFan]

12:19 PM on 05/02/2012

I have asthma & live in Memphis. The city is worth the discomfort!

[kauthon]

12:15 PM on 05/02/2012

I have asthma. I don't think it's great to have, but the positive is this.

I feel I have an early warning detection system to bad air. Most people can breathe bad air fine for decades but that can't be good for you. Without a Doubt, I always know the air quality.

[Roosevelt Democrat]

12:12 PM on 05/02/2012

Seems to be no rhyme or reason in the different cities.

[Christine Frank]

02:01 PM on 05/02/2012

They all seem to be in major river valleys . . . I am not sure about Texas, though.

[Roosevelt Democrat]

12:36 PM on 05/03/2012

good thought.