New report ranks St. Louis worst US city in asthma-related deaths

ST. LOUIS – A new report ranks St. Louis as the worst U.S. city in asthma-related deaths, along with the designation as one of America’s Top 20 “Asthma Capitals.”

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America released its “2024 Asthmas Capitals” report earlier this month, which evaluated the estimated prevalence of asthma, along with emergency department visits and fatalities that stem from it.

According to the report, St. Louis ranked first among U.S. cities measured in “asthma-related crude death rate per 100,000 people” from 2018-2022.

St. Louis was also ranked the 17th most challenging U.S. city to live with asthma. According to the report, while St. Louis’ crude death rate was ranked the worst among measured cities, it is right around average in asthma prevalence and asthma-related emergency visits

The AAFA says the following risk factors may contribute to heightened concerns around asthma:

• Poverty
• Air quality
• Access to specialist medical care
• Pollen allergy
• Medicine use
• Tobacco policies
• Lack of health insurance

According to the report, several triggers of asthmas also hit their peak around September, including higher ragweed pollen, higher mold counts, respiratory illnesses and extreme shifts in weather.

The AAFA says, to reduce the risk of death from asthma, concerned individuals should have access to asthma medicines and take them as prescribed and reduce exposure outdoors when risk factors are high. People are also encouraged to seek medical care if symptoms occur more than twice a week.

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