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Fighting to breathe is a scary experience. But that’s the reality for 1 out of every 12 people in the U.S. who have asthma, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. American Indian and Alaska Native children are 30 percent more likely to have asthma, according to the Office of Minority Health. Rates of asthma are increasing and it’s unclear why. Researchers say environmental contaminants like smoke, dust mites, mold, and certain chemicals can trigger an attack. We’ll talk with doctors about the symptoms and the most up-to-date treatments. Email your questions about asthma to comments@nativeamericacalling.com.
Guests:
Dr. Michelle Harkins – chief of pulmonary critical care, sleep and allergy division at UNM and co-director of the adult asthma clinic at UNM
Richard Mousseau (Oglala Lakota) – director of prevention programs in the community health department at the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Health Board
Mansel Nelson – Senior Program Coordinator for Tribal Environmental Education Outreach at Northern Arizona University
Break Music: We Danced On (song) Arigon Starr (artist) Wind-Up (album)
Can Asthma lead to COPD? I was first diagnosed with Asthma, then later ,they said I had COPD not Asthma! I believe the pollutants in our AIR is what’s causing this disease! I’m very Allergic to Dust and Aerosal sprays!