Sex differences in asthma prevalence and other disease characteristics in eight states.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the sex differences in asthma prevalence and asthma-control characteristics within eight states.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey.


RESULTS
Lifetime and current asthma prevalence were higher for females in each of the eight states compared to males. Adult onset of asthma was reported more often by females with current asthma, and childhood onset was reported more often by males. Sex differences were identified for the eight asthma-control characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
Females in eight states presented higher asthma risk and poorer asthma profiles than males. State surveillance data can be used to identify disparities and to develop appropriate public health interventions.
Rhodes
Luann
L
Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Moorman
Jeanne E
JE
Redd
Stephen C
SC
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology