2016 Georgia data summary, adult asthma

The Georgia Department of Public Health

2016 GEORGIA DATA SUMMARY | ADULT ASTHMA
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by episodes of reversible breathing problems due to airway narrowing and obstruction. These episodes can range in severity from mild to life threatening. During asthma episodes, the airway muscles tighten and the airway lining swells, thus making the airways very narrow, leading to difficulty in breathing. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath1.

ASTHMA PREVALENCEa:

In 2014, the overall asthma prevalence among adult Georgians (persons aged 18 years and older) was 8.4%. Differences in asthma prevalence existed by demographic characteristics.

Asthma prevalence was significantly lower among males (6.7%; 95% CI: 5.5-8.2) than females (10.0%; 95% CI: 8.7-11.4).

Asthma prevalence was nearly four times higher in Hispanic women than in Hispanic men (Figure 1).

There was no significant difference of asthma prevalence between age groups, although it was highest among those aged

55-64 years (9.9%; 95% CI: 8.1-12.1).

Asthma prevalence was highest among adults whose annual household income was less than $15,000 (12.5%), and

similar to that among adults with an annual household income of $15,000-$24,999 (11.6%). Asthma was more prevalent in

adults with a household income greater than $75,000 than among those with incomes between $25,000 and $74,999

(Figure 2). Prevalence was significantly higher among individuals with less than a high school diploma (12.0%; 95% CI:

9.2, 15.6) than among college graduates (6.7%; 95% CI: 5.5, 8.1).

There was no significant difference in asthma prevalence between those with (8.5%) or without (8.1%) health insurance

AcoSvTerHaMgeA. AND OTHER CONDITIONSa:

ASTHMA CONTROLb:

In Georgia during 2014, the prevalence of asthma was

From the Asthma Call Back Survey (ACBS), three measures

significantly higher among those who were obese

are used to assess asthma control: 1) the number of days in a

(10.7%; 95% CI: 8.9, 12.7) than those who were not

month that asthma symptoms occurred; 2) the number of

obese (7.2%; 95% CI: 6.2, 8.4).

nighttime awakenings in a month; and 3) and the use of short

Asthma prevalence was also significantly higher among acting beta agonists (SABA).

current smokers (13.1%; 95% CI: 10.3, 16.5) than

In Georgia during the period from 2011 to 2014, 40%

among those who were not current smokers (7.8%; 95%

of adults with active asthma had their asthma well

CI: 6.9, 8.9).

controlled; 27% had their asthma not well controlled;

Asthma prevalence was significantly lower among those

and 33% had their asthma very poorly controlled.

who reported they exercised in the last 30 days (7.6%;

Definitions for asthma control are shown at the end of

95% CI: 6.6, 8.7) than those who reported no exercise or

this document.

physical activity in the last 30 days (11.0%; 95% CI: 9.1,

About 30% of adults with active asthma had 9 or more

13.3).

nights in the past 30 days when they had difficulty

During 2014, there was no significant difference in flu

sleeping due to asthma.

vaccination for Georgia adults with asthma (36.9%, 95%

Only 27% of adults with asthma had an asthma action

CI: 31.4, 42.8) compared to those without asthma

plan.

(34.1%, 95% CI: 32.4, 35.8).

08/2017

2016 GEORGIA DATA SUMMARY | ADULT ASTHMA

OCCUPATION AND ASTHMAb:
During the period from 2011-2014 in Georgia, 29% of adults with asthma indicated they were unable to work or carry out usual activities on one or more days in the past 12 months due to asthma.
During the same period, 8% of Georgia adults with asthma had been told by a health professional that their asthma was workrelated.

ASTHMA HOSPITALIZATIONc:
In Georgia during 2014, there were 6,601 asthma related hospitalizations (a rate of 87 per 100,000) among adults 18 years and older. In 2014, the total charges for asthma-related
hospitalizations among adults 18 years and older were $155.3 million. This is a $4.6 million increase in total charges (unadjusted) compared to total asthma-related hospital charges in 2012. As age increased (Figure 3), the rate of asthma hospitalizations also increased (25/100,000 for those 18-24 years vs 149/100,000 for those 65+ years) The overall rate of hospitalizations due to asthma was more than two times higher among females (121/100,000) than among males (49/100,000). In each age group, the rate of asthma hospitalization was more than two times higher for blacks (141/100,000) than whites (63/100,000). (Figure 4)

ASTHMA EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (ED) VISITSd:
In Georgia during 2014, there were 31,595 ED visits due to asthma for adults, a rate of 415 per 100,000.
In 2014, the total charges for asthma-related ED visits among adults 18 years and older were $82.3 million. This is a $14.2 million increase in total charges (unadjusted) compared to total asthmarelated hospital charges in 2012.
The ED visit rate decreased with increasing age, in contrast to the asthma hospitalization rate, which increased with increasing age (Figure 5).
The ED visit rate among adults was higher among females (507/100,000) than males (317/100,000).
In Georgia during 2014, the overall asthma ED visit rate for blacks was about four times higher than for whites (870 vs 201/100,000; Figure 6). action plan.

2016 GEORGIA DATA SUMMARY | ADULT ASTHMA

REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN ASTHMA PREVALENCEa-d:
In Georgia, adult asthma prevalence differed by region (Public Health District).
From 2012-2014, 7 of 18 Districts had an asthma prevalence higher than 8.5%. The five Public Health Districts with the highest prevalence were Dublin (5-1), Waycross (9-2), Jonesboro (3-3), Valdosta (8-1) and Dekalb (3-5). (Figure 7).

In 2014, the five Public Health Districts with the highest asthma hospitalization rates were Macon (5-2), Albany (8-2), Augusta (6), Waycross (9-2), and Dekalb (3-5).

In 2014, the five Public Health Districts with the highest asthma ED visit rates were Jonesboro (3-3), Fulton (3-2), Albany (8-2), Columbus (7) and Dekalb (3-5).

Map 1. Asthma Prevalence, by Health District, Georgia, 2012-2014

Map 2. Asthma Hospitalization Rates, by Health District, Georgia, 2012-2014

Map 3. Asthma ED Visit Rates, by Health District, Georgia, 2012-2014

Health Districts in Georgia

1-1 Northwest (Rome)

1-2 North Georgia (Dalton)

2

North (Gainesville)

3-1 Cobb/Douglas

3-2 Fulton

3-3 Clayton County (Jonesboro)

3-4 East Metro (Lawrenceville)

3-5 Dekalb

4

LaGrange

5-1 South Central (Dublin)

5-2 North Central (Macon)

6

East Central (Augusta)

7

West Central (Columbus)

8-1 South (Valdosta)

8-2 Southwest (Albany)

9-1 Coastal (Savannah)

9-2 Southeast (Waycross)

10 Northeast (Athens)

2016 GEORGIA DATA SUMMARY | ADULT ASTHMA

Data Sources
a. 2014 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey
(BRFSS)
The BRFSS is a stratified random-digit dial telephone inter-view conducted among Georgia non-institutionalized residents 18 years and older to ascertain their health conditions, behaviors, and the use of preventive services. The survey is conducted in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
b. 2011-2014 Georgia Asthma Call Back Survey (ACBS)
This survey is conducted approximately two weeks after the BRFSS. BRFSS respondents who report ever being diagnosed with asthma are eligible to participate in the asthma call-back survey. However, call back is made only to individuals who consented to be called back for this special survey.
c. 2012 Georgia Hospital Inpatient Discharge Data
Hospitalization data are based on hospital discharge data for Georgia residents who were hospitalized in non-federal acute care hospitals with asthma as the primary diagnosis. The ICD-9 codes (493.0-493.9) were used to select hospitalizations.
d. 2012 Georgia Emergency Department Visit Data
Emergency department (ED) visit data are from Georgia residents who were seen in the ED of non-federal acute care hospitals in Georgia with asthma as the primary diagnosis. The ICD-9 codes (493.0-493.9) were used to select ED visits.

Definitions: Well controlled asthma Had asthma symptoms 8 days in the past 30 days, or 2 days of nighttime awakening in past 30 days, or an average of 0.29 uses of a short acting beta-agonist (SABA) per day.
Not well controlled asthma Had asthma symptoms more than 8 days in the past 30 days but not throughout the day, or between 3 and 12 days of nighttime awakening in past 30 days, or an average of 0.29 to 1.99 uses of a SABA per day.
Very poorly controlled asthma Had asthma symptoms everyday in the past 30 days and throughout the day, or 13 days of nighttime awakening in the past 30 days or 2 use of a SABA per day.
Note: These definitions are based on the Expert Panel Report (EPR-3) recommendations by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP).
Statistical Significance: In this report, estimates were considered statistically significantly different if their 95% confidence intervals did not overlap.