Bronchial asthma. Patterns of morbidity and mortality in the United States, 1951-1959.

On a nationwide basis, bronchial asthma occurs at the rate of 23 cases per 1,000 population. Young males develop bronchial asthma more readily and more severely than young females. Males dying from asthma outnumber females 2 to 1. Eight per cent of the asthmatic persons in the United States have not sought medical attention for this condition. Repeated attacks of severe bronchial asthma increase the likelihood of premature death. Approximately 6,000 deaths due to asthma occur annually in the United States, with a seasonal increase during the winter months. The estimated fatality rate of asthma in the general population is 1.5 deaths per 1,000 asthmatics.