More than 20 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with asthma. Death rates have decreased over the last 5 years but the numbers of hospitalizations and emergency department visits for asthma attacks have remained the same. African-Americans and Puerto Ricans continue to top the charts as the two ethnic groups most severely affected by this breathing problem. The inner cities of New York , Chicago and Atlanta are considered high risk areas for severe asthma in part because of poverty levels, pollution and poor access to preventive health care. Although certain regions and ethnic groups are harder hit by asthma, many affluent people of all races share this diagnosis.
Historically, asthma has taken people's breath away for hundreds of years. Several prominent asthmatics with superior talent, creativity, athleticism and achievement have demonstrated their ability to rise above their asthma diagnosis. If it's possible for them, it can be for you too.
Click here to take our celebrity asthmatics quiz and see if you can identify these personalities. Find one that you most identify with.
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