HEALTH6.A Asthma: Percentage of children ages 0–17 with asthma, selected years 1980

Characteristic	1980	1985	1990	1995	1996	1997^a	1998^a	1999^a	2000^a	2001^a	2002^a	2003^a	2004^a	2005^a	2006^a
Asthma in past 12 months^b	3.6	4.8	5.8	7.5	6.2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Ever diagnosed with asthma^c	—	—	—	—	—	11.4	12.1	10.8	12.3	12.7	12.3	12.5	12.2	12.7	13.5
Current asthma^d	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	8.8	8.4	8.5	8.5	8.9	9.3
Having at least one asthma attack^e	—	—	—	—	—	5.4	5.3	5.3	5.5	5.7	5.8	5.5	5.6	5.2	5.6
— Not available.
^a In 1997, the National Health Interview Survey was redesigned. Data for 1997–2005 are not strictly comparable to earlier data.
^b Children with asthma in the past 12 months.
^c Children ever diagnosed with asthma by doctor or other health care professional.
^d Children ever diagnosed with asthma who currently have asthma.
^e Children having had an episode of asthma or asthma attack in the past 12 months.
NOTE: From 1997 to 2005, children are identified as having asthma by asking parents “Has a doctor or other health professional EVER told you that your child has asthma?” If the parent answered YES to this question they were then asked (1) “Does your child still have asthma?” and (2) “During the past twelve months, has your child had an episode of asthma or an asthma attack?” The question “Does your child still have asthma?” was introduced in 2001.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey.