Texas Asthma Control Program

Introduction

Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in Texas and a growing health concern. According to the Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey (BRFSS) in 2008, an estimated 2.2 million (12.2%) and 1.3 million (7.3%) adult Texans (18 years or older) had self-reported lifetime and current asthma, respectively.  Asthma affects more children than any other chronic disease and is one of the most frequent reasons for hospital admissions among children. There were 921,000 (14.3%) and 593,000 (9.2%) Texas children (0-17 years of age) with reported lifetime and current asthma, respectively.* In Texas, the large number of persons affected by asthma results in major economic and social burdens. The hospitalization rate for Texas in 2007 was 10.9 per 10,000 Texas residents, accounting for more than 25,000 hospitalizations and an estimated $446.8 million in total hospital charges. From 2002 through 2006, there were a total of 1,202 deaths in Texas with a mortality rate of 1.23 per 100,000 residents.

Mission

The mission of the Texas Asthma Control Program (TACP) is to:

• decrease preventable asthma morbidity;
• reduce the severity of asthma symptoms; and
• decrease the number of emergency department hospital visits and deaths due to asthma

To address the social and economic burden of asthma in Texas, TACP, through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provides data, educational materials, and other resources for health care professionals, community-based organizations, schools, and the general public on asthma control. Educational activities are provided through TACP and its partners throughout the state.

* Texas Asthma Burden Report