Looking to learn more about asthma in children? Here are some facts and statistics about asthma that will give you a better understanding of the condition:

How Many Children Have Asthma?

1. Around 1 in 10 kids have asthma, (9% of children under 17) according to the CDC, and these numbers are higher in urban areas and among some ethnic groups.

2. Around 9 million kids in the U.S. have been diagnosed with asthma. (Colino, 2011) Overall, more than 25 million Americans of all ages have asthma, representing about 8.4% of the population in 2010, up from 7.3% in 2001, according to the CDC. (Wang, 2013)

Facts & Statistics on the Causes of Asthma in Children

1. 70% of those with asthma also have allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

2. Around 85% of asthma attacks in children are triggered by an allergen of some kind. In the other cases, a virus, smoke, cold or dry air, exercise, or airborne particles are the culprit.

3. Kids living on farms have a 79% lower risk of developing asthma. (Colino, 2011)

4. Use of acetaminophen has been linked to rising rates of asthma in children. (Paine, 2008B)

Facts & Statistics on the Consequences of Asthma in Children

1. According to the American Lung Association, asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization for kids under 15, resulting in approximately 679,000 E.R. visits in 2005.

2. Asthma is the second most costly medical condition among children in the United States (behind only mental health disorders), at a cost of around $8 billion a year. (USA Today, 5-12-2009, p. 1D)