Asthma increase a mystery
April 9, 2002 - source: by Ben Lieberman / National Review online
http://www.phpab.org/asthma%20report/ReportPortal1.htm

This much is known - asthma incidence and mortality have sharply increased in the past two decades, particularly among children. The study cites statistics showing a doubling of asthma cases from 6.8 million in 1980 to 14.6 million in 1996, and a further increase to 17.3 million in 1999. There is some question about changing definitions of asthma and the possibility of higher diagnosis rates, but there is little doubt that the increase is real. Tragically, asthma deaths have tripled from 1,674 in 1977 to 5,438 in 1998, making it the leading cause of death in young children.