Atlanta: Asthma Capital of The USA

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Atlanta: Asthma Capital of The USA

January 18, 2007

Atlanta may not be breathing so well tonight...or ever, really.

Atlanta has been crowned the U.S. asthma capital for 2007, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, which has just released the annual rankings of the 100 most challenging places to live for people with the respiratory illness.

Why Atlanta? Well apparently Altanta's higher-than-average crude death rate (CDR) for asthma, high year-round pollen levels, bad air pollution and lack of smoking bans in restaurants, bars or workplaces contributes to the title.

To see the other cities making the top 10 list, read more

Philadelphia, PA
Raleigh, NC
Knoxville, TN
Harrisburg, PA
Grand Rapids, MI
Milwaukee, WI
Greensboro, NC
Scranton, PA
Little Rock, AR

16 Comments

aangelaa 4 years 26 weeks

three strikes for me...i live in atlanta, have allergies, and bad asthma... :(

amh678 5 years 16 weeks

I love Atlanta - but I'm a little partial having lived in the Atlanta area my whole life! But I've had allergies for a long time. My whole family has allergies too. And I've talked to a lot of people who've moved to Atlanta and never had allergies until the move. So I can understand the study's finds. But I really don't know a lot of people with asthma, so that's a little surprising.

ccsugar 6 years 17 weeks

I'm sorry, I just moved to Atlanta and it's been rough, I'm just bitter! Mme Hart, your story made me laugh!! That's typical southern charm.

kscincotta 6 years 17 weeks

Well, that would explain why my hubby can't breathe! And also, ccsugar is right (not about Atlanta sucking though, I love it!) - the trend lately has been towards increased smoking bans, particularly in Decatur, where you can't light up inside before 9pm, if at all. And Atlanta is following their lead, albeit slowly.

DStirk 6 years 18 weeks

Hotlanta! This makes sense to me, it is SO humid down there, which makes it hard to breath period.

aembry396 6 years 18 weeks

I was born and raised in ATL and NEVER had allergy problems. As soon as I moved to DC and then Michigan, my allergies have gone crazy! Still, nothing says Atlanta and spring time like having your car coated in yellow pollen and sidewalks running yellow after it rains. Ah home, I miss it! Preppy to the max!

baltimoregal 6 years 18 weeks

YAY! Baltimore not on the list! (Although I am a bit surprised. We're probably in the next tier.) It probably helps being on the water. BaltimoreGal

Mme Hart 6 years 18 weeks

:oops: I meant respiratory!! Dumb me LOL! I liked Atlanta, the people were very nice. They knew I was foreign but that didn't stop them from being super kind! My Atlanta story: A few years ago on a solo business trip, I was talking to a lady who worked at the front desk of the hotel one day and I said how I had this dream of having corn bread (cuz I'd never had it before) and she invited me to her mother's house for dinner the next night! I went LOL! It was me and a fabulous family and I got to have ribs, grits and CORN BREAD! :drool: Her dad asked me if I was scared to go for dinner and I said "a little but I know where she works so it seemed OK" and her dad said "we were all a little worried bringing a strange white chick from another country into our home" :ROTFL: Atlanta can never be tainted in my eyes again!

ccsugar 6 years 18 weeks

Atlanta sucks, plain and simple.

ccsugar 6 years 18 weeks

Hmmm, I live in ATL and my allergies have gotten better since living in the midwest. And, whereabouts are there a lack of smoking bans?!??!! You can't smoke anywhere! No restaurants will allow you to light up, and few bars will (I think it's the bar owner's decision). And I have NEVER seen ANYONE smoke in any workplaces.

Fancy04 6 years 18 weeks

never heard that one before.

Mme Hart 6 years 18 weeks

don't forget indoor pollution!! My sister in law is a repriatory consultant (doctor specializing in lungs, etc) and she has been involved in MANY studies that link household cleaners and over use of cleaning and/or antibacterial products in general to asthma. Mums and dads, be careful how many pollutants you use at home, too!