Fatal and nearly fatal asthma

Background: Whilst the annual mortality rate from asthma appears to have stabilized and even declined somewhat in both Blacks and Whites in the United States in the past 20 years, there is still a 2.5 fold increased mortality rate in Blacks compared to Whites which has not changed. In accordance with the concerns of Dr. Roy Patterson, this article outlines ways of identifying high-risk patients in order to prevent deaths from asthma. Methods/data base: A review of the literature and of practice at Northwestern University Allergy-Immunology Service. Results and conclusion: There must be a sufficient number of asthma specialists to provide expert clinical care, education of patients, physicians, physician-extenders and others participating in asthma management as well as to conduct investigations into the many aspects of asthma and related conditions so that care for patients with asthma truly can improve and the number of hospitalizations and fatalities be reduced.