Dear Editor:
The recent asthma attack of Gov. Chris Christie has left many individuals wondering about the very common, yet very serious lung disease. What exactly is asthma? What is an asthma attack? And who is affected? Over 23 million Americans have asthma, a chronic obstruction of the airways. A variety of factors including allergies, a cold, temperature changes, cigarette smoke and air pollution – most notably ozone, or smog, can trigger an attack, a worsening of asthma symptoms. It is an indiscriminate disease, affecting roughly 612,000 New Jersey residents, a quarter of which are our children, and people of all age groups, races and socioeconomic statuses. But asthma can be managed, if treated properly, and we can do more to reduce the burden of asthma on the people of our state through education, research and advocacy. Everyone should have the right to breathe easier. To learn more about asthma, visit lungusa.org and search on the keyword “asthma.”
Deb Brown
President & CEO
American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic