UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

A study released by the Center examines the prevalence of asthma in California, the prevention and management of asthma symptoms, and the consequences of poorly managed asthma. The data for this study are the first release from the new 2001 California Health Interview Survey. An estimated 11.9% of Californians - 3.9 million children and adults - report that they have been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lives, compared to the national average of 10.1%. Nearly 2.9 million Californians with asthma (8.8%) experienced asthma symptoms in the past 12 months -- including 667,000 school-aged children.