Asthma

Asthma: The Uninsured Burden

What are the Symptoms of Asthma?

Here are some common symptoms of this Chronic Disease:

  • Shortness of breath.
  • Chest tightness or pain.
  • Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children.
  • Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing.
  • Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu.

The Reality for Many

1. Fact: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 25 million Americans deal with this condition.

2. Insurance Void: Additionally, many face added obstacles managing asthma without health insurance.

The Monthly Financial Toll of Asthma Care: Uninsured Realities

1. Fact: Research from the *Journal of Asthma & Allergy Educators* shows that uninsured individuals find care costs, including medication and doctor visits, burdensome. Find here the products against this condition

2. Untreated Consequences: Consequently, many skip vital treatments due to financial concerns.

Medication Expenses: A Daunting Hurdle for the Uninsured

1. Fact: Moreover, the CDC notes around 14.2% of uninsured adults don’t take prescribed medications because of costs.

2. Health at Risk: Consequently, skipping medications can worsen asthma symptoms and increase severe attack risks.

What is the cost of asthma medication without insurance?

The typical cash price for inhalers averages over $380. This cost can fluctuate based on the specific type of inhaler prescribed to you. Find at Prescrimeds, the Ventolin at affordable price.

Of adults with comprehensive health insurance, one out of eight face challenges affording asthma care. In contrast, almost half of those with limited or no coverage find it difficult to afford such care.

What triggers asthma?

The exact causes remain somewhat elusive. Generally, it likely results from a combination of genetic factors (those present at birth) and environmental influences. The interplay between these factors remains largely undiscovered.

While allergens from dust mites and pets commonly trigger asthma, other allergens like pollen and molds can also induce the condition. Interestingly, some patients don’t exhibit any identifiable allergies.

Is asthma classified as a chronic condition?

Absolutely. It’s a chronic ailment characterized by persistent inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Even during asymptomatic periods, some level of inflammation typically persists.

What occurs during an episode?

When the illness isn’t managed effectively, the airways undergo inflammation. This inflammation leads to asthma symptoms—such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing—by constricting or obstructing the airflow to and from the lungs.

Emergency Room Reliance: The Desperation of the Uninsured

1. Fact: According to the American Lung Association, uninsured individuals often use emergency rooms for asthma care due to limited preventive care access.

Communities of color face higher asthma-related emergency care rates, with Black and Latinx individuals more frequently seeking such care than White individuals.

Hospitalization costs can be substantial. A 2014 report found average hospitalization costs were $3,600 for children and $6,600 for adults. Black children had over three times higher admission rates than White children, and Black adults had twice the rate of White adults. A 2015 study showed an average hospital stay for asthma cost $6,688, rising to $21,556 if mechanical ventilation was needed.

2. Vicious Cycle: As a result, relying on emergency care compromises health and raises overall healthcare costs.

Lost Productivity and Financial Struggles: Asthma’s Economic Toll

1. Fact: The CDC estimates that asthma-related missed workdays cost billions yearly.

2. Uninsured Hardship: Specifically, for the uninsured, missed workdays strain finances without insurance safety nets.

The Road Ahead: Addressing Asthma’s Uninsured Challenge

The challenges faced by uninsured individuals are genuine. Single mothers often lead the charge in ensuring their children’s health. Prescrimeds is committed to alleviating these financial strains, reducing the dependence on emergency care, and addressing the affordability of treatments that underscore these difficulties.

To read more

  1. Blog asthma
  2. Global initiative for Asthma

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