Who gets asthma?

Anyone can get asthma - people of all ethnic groups, male and female, young and old, city dwellers and rural dwellers. In the United States, more than 20 million people have asthma. Asthma is common among children and teens - about 3 students in an average classroom of 30 - have asthma.

While no one knows for sure why some people develop asthma and others don't, we do know that it is a combination of your family history and your environment.

There is no cure for asthma. Once you have asthma, you will have the disease for the rest of your life. But with proper care, you can lead a healthy, productive, fully active life.

To learn more about managing asthma visit www.epa.gov/asthma/triggers.html or www.noattacks.org

• How can I help my child have fewer asthma episodes (or symptoms)?
• What is an asthma symptom, episode, or attack?
• What causes asthma symptoms, episodes or attacks?