Who Is at Risk for Asthma?

Risk factors include:

Environmental Exposure

Environmental exposure may occur anywhere, including home, work or school, and can raise the risk of developing asthma or make asthma symptoms worse. Examples:

• tobacco smoke
• chemical irritants
• air pollution
• dust
• pollen

Family History

Having a parent with asthma increases the risk for a child to develop asthma.

Other Medical Conditions

Asthma occurs more often to people who:

• have allergies
• have had respiratory infections early in life
• are obese 

Race and Ethnicity

Your race or ethnicity may raise your risk for developing asthma.

For more information about risk factors and preventing asthma, see Asthma.

For more information about military-specific risk factors, see Military and Veterans Lung Disease.

Stopping or reducing tobacco can help you feel better and reduce asthma symptoms. If you are looking for support to reduce or stop tobacco use, your registered respiratory therapist or nurse can help you achieve your goals.

Learn more and begin the enrollment process now.  

Source: From Asthma by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, published May 21, 2020