The prevalence of childhood asthma: interpreting falling rates in the context of shifting measurement and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Curr Opin Pulm Med
; 29(3): 197-201, 2023 05 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2259615
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The estimated prevalence of childhood asthma in the United States, as measured by the National Health Information Survey (NHIS), has decreased by 30% since 2017. This review provides context for observed changes in asthma rates by describing recent shifts in NHIS data collection and analysis, and considers whether the COVID-19 pandemic might impact asthma prevalence in years to come. RECENT FINDINGS:
The NHIS underwent a planned redesign in 2019 with updated sampling weights to better match the U.S. population. In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unplanned modifications to NHIS implementation, which may have included fewer children from populations at a heightened risk for asthma. Decreasing prevalence estimates in recent years are likely at least in part due to these survey changes rather than true epidemiologic shift. However, pandemic-related changes to risk factors for childhood asthma (including exposure to rhinovirus infections and allergic sensitization) may also influence prevalence in the future.SUMMARY:
Recent changes in estimated rates of childhood asthma in the USA are likely driven by changes to survey methods and implementation, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional years of data are needed to determine whether a true shift in disease prevalence is occurring.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Asthma
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Child
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
Curr Opin Pulm Med
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
MCP.0000000000000959
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