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ASTHMA IN BERMUDA: The size of the problem

• Asthma is an immense problem in Bermuda. Approximately 1 in 5 young children and 1 in 10 adults have asthma.
• The incidence of asthma is rising and has been reaching epidemic levels as in other developed countries around the world.
  
• The variable sub-tropical climate with extremely high humidity year round is an ideal environment for mold, mildew, dust-mites and cockroaches. Plants, trees, grasses and flowers all flourish. All potential allergic triggers for people with asthma.
  
• Bermuda, with an area of only 24 square miles, has 52,000 vehicles causing considerable air pollution. A large number of cars and trucks have diesel engines, which is proven to be a major irritant for people with asthma.
  
• There is gross overcrowding in the low socio economic group. Children are known to be sleeping on old mattresses on the floor.
  
• The very high number of illegitimate children and other children whose parents have separated means that many children are staying in more than one home. This makes it difficult and expensive to control allergens in the home environment. Medications are often not taken from house to house when the child with asthma visits. It is difficult to educate all the family members caring for the asthmatic child.
  
• Dust-mite bedding is expensive and many cannot afford the necessary bedding.
  
• Asthma is the number one cause for children to miss time from school and adults missing days from work due to their own asthma or to care for a child suffering with asthma.
  
• Asthma is the number one reason children take medication at school.
  
• More prescriptions are filled for asthma than any other chronic disease.
  
• Asthma is the number one cause for people visiting The Emergency Department and for admission to hospital apart from maternity.
  
• Many of the low socio economic group do not have health insurance.
  
• Many elderly people with asthma or chronic obstructive airway disease have no health insurance coverage for medications, doctor's office visits or health education. Medications are extremely expensive in Bermuda.
  
• Many elderly people suffering from emphysema cannot afford oxygen therapy and therefore do without.
  

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