Health Resource Capacity Assessment for Danielson, Connecticut, June 2003

Health Resource Capacity Assessment for Danielson, Connecticut

June 2003

Danielson Description

Health Needs and Barriers to Care

Health Needs and Barriers to Care: Asthma and smoking

High asthma rates were noted as a key concern by childcare survey respondents. Many noted that an increasing number of children in their care suffered from the disease and an increase in smoking among parents of children in their care. Many felt that parents, particularly young parents, were not aware or did not appreciate the serious damage caused by second-hand smoke.⁹²

During 1997 and 1998, Killingly children under age 14 had forty-nine visits to the Emergency Room for asthma and eleven were hospitalized for the disease.⁹³ 12.3% of Connecticut residents reported having asthma in 2001, up from 10.8% in 2000. 18.4% of adults ages 18 to 24 reported having asthma in 2001. One in five Connecticut residents smoke cigarettes. One in three 18 to 24 year olds smokes.⁹⁴ Seventy-six Killingly residents died of lung cancer between 1995 and 1999. Based on population demographics, only 60 deaths would have been expected.⁹⁵

An educator noted that she received a comprehensive manual on controlling asthma in the schools from the state Department of Public Health/Department of Education/United Way that was very helpful. The school used the information to reduce several asthma triggers within the school and since that point have had no referrals for asthma treatment, which she characterized as "remarkable". Several stakeholders noted the need for more smoking cessation programs and public education about the dangers of secondhand smoke, particularly for those suffering from asthma.⁹⁶

Next: Health Needs and Barriers to Care: Teen Pregnancies

Footnotes