Healthy New Jersey

Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Healthy NJ 2020

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Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and episodic narrowing of the airways. Asthma causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing.1  The burden of this chronic disease is felt everyday by individuals who suffer from it, whether it's a frightening asthma attack or the struggle to adhere to the treatment plans required to keep it under control. The costs in lost productivity, health care related expenditures, and educational interruption are significant. Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled so that people are able to lead active and healthy lives.

Objectives

Baseline*
Progress Toward Target
Target*
Assessment is final
Reduce asthma deaths 
 
 
 
 
Reduce asthma hospitalization rate among young children
 
 
 
 
Reduce asthma hospitalizations among 5 to 64 year-olds
 
 
 
 
Reduce asthma hospitalizations among persons 65 years and older
 
 
 
 
Reduce asthma emergency department visits (children under 5)
 
 
 
 
Reduce asthma emergency department visits among 5 to 64 year-olds
 
 
 
 
Reduce asthma emergency department visits (65 years and older)
 
 
 
 
Reduce asthma-related school absenteeism among children
 
 
 
 
Reduce asthma-related work absenteeism among adults
 
 
 
 
Increase children with an asthma action plan
 
 
 
 
Increase adults with an asthma action plan
 
 
 
 
Increase children with asthma advised to make changes in indoor environment
 
 
 
 
Increase adults with asthma advised to make changes to indoor environment
 
 
 
 

Legend

Progress Toward Target

*Figures shown are a mix of counts, percentages, rates, and ratios. Click the Objective statement for more information about the corresponding measure.

Exceeding Target
At/Making progress toward Target
Not progressing toward Target
Negative progression toward Target

New Jersey has adopted a broad, multi-disciplinary approach to addressing asthma. The complex nature of this epidemic requires partnerships with State as well as non-governmental organizations. These partnerships have included:

  • Department of Health (DOH) Division of Family Health Services; the Division of Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health; Office of Minority and Multicultural Health; Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program; and Center for Health Statistics
  • New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
  • New Jersey Department of Education
  • New Jersey Department Human Services
  • Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey
  • Community-based/faith-based organizations

The DOH Asthma Program and the State Asthma Committee partnered to create the New Jersey Asthma Strategic Plan, which serves as a guidance document for state government, health care providers, community organizations, public health advocates, and others in the awareness, management, and treatment of asthma in New Jersey.  The DOH actively supported the American Lung Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Thoracic Society in the founding of the Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey (PACNJ) to act as a statewide clearinghouse for pediatric asthma programs and services.

The DOH's comprehensive report describes the effects of asthma on the health of New Jersey residents and surveillance efforts within the state. Surveillance updates are being conducted to help achieve the Healthy New Jersey 2020 goals of reducing asthma hospitalizations and reduced deaths.

 

For more information, please refer to these resources:

Reference:

  1.  Asthma. CDC. 12/7/20.

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