Asthma, Explained in Under 2 Minutes

Asthma is an incredibly common condition in the United States, affecting over 27 million Americans, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It’s the most common chronic illness among children, affecting roughly 16% percent of U.S. children. Unfortunately, rates of asthma have been on the rise for years — potentially due to air quality changes.

For people without asthma, it’s easy to take breathing for granted. It’s something your body just does intuitively. But if you live with asthma, breathing might be more of a chore.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

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