Future Directions

CDC plays a critical role in helping America breathe easier by learning more about asthma and how to control it. The program is focused on determining who has asthma and why, what triggers an asthma episode, and what interventions and programs work best.

With continued and increased funding, CDC will

(1) focus on asthma-related activity within the states;

(2) increase the understanding of asthma-related data and their applications to program planning and evaluation by developing an ongoing asthma surveillance system;

(3) increase the use of a public health approach to reduce the burden of asthma;

(4) establish and maintain partnerships among state health departments, national organizations, and non-government organizations that address asthma in the population; and

(5) implement interventions to achieve positive health effects, such as reducing the number of deaths, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, school or work days missed, and limitations on activity due to asthma.