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Asthma in Hong Kong

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting approximately 300 million people around the world. Asthma prevalence rates vary in different countries, 18.4% being the highest, 0.7% the lowest. The disease is more prevalent in developed countries than in developing countries.

Statistics showed that Hong Kong had more than 330,000 people suffering from asthma.

 

Hong Kong population (2011)

Number of asthma patients

% with asthma

Primary students
aged 6-7

92,298

7,292

7.9%

Secondary students
aged 13-14

147,880

15,084

10.2%

Undergraduates
aged 19-21

265,641

19,126

7.2%

Adults
aged 22-70

4,983,652

249,183

5%

Elderly
aged above 70

662,726

38,438

5.8%

Source  《胸肺疾病手冊》(Thoracic Diseases), Hong Kong Thoracic Society

http://www.census2011.gov.hk/tc/main-table/A103.html, Census and Statistics Department

Every year, Hong Kong has about 70 to 90 deaths caused by asthma attacks; among them, 20 to 30 people passed away in their prime (aged between 15 and 44). Fatal asthma attacks are mainly caused by delayed treatment as patients do not have a proper understanding of the severity of the disease. Patients and their families often become very frustrated because of this medical condition.