HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut public health officials say asthma is increasing in the state but it's not clear why.
The state Connecticut Department of Public Health says in a recent report that the number of adults with asthma increased by 17.9 percent between 2000 and 2010, and rose 7.6 percent among children between 2005 and 2010.
Since 2000, asthma rates in the state have been higher than nationally.
Eileen Boulay, a registered nurse and asthma program manager for the state Health Department, said that's true of all the New England states
She says asthma could be more prevalent because of Connecticut's older housing or numerous highways, but can't otherwise explain the higher rate of the chronic respiratory disease that affects millions of Americans.
