Better information about the prevalence of and trends in chronic illness is needed for rural Americans. This study used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine the prevalence of and trends in asthma, by type of geographic location and by key risk factors. The aim was to determine the prevalence of and trends in asthma among all rural BRFSS respondents and also among rural minority group members and residents of remote rural counties.

For this study, annual BRFSS data from 1994 to 2003 were used. Chi-square testing was used to compare unadjusted prevalence rates of each condition or screening by geographic category and race/ethnicity. Logistic regression analyses were performed to compare outcomes adjusted for sociodemographic, health and health care system factors. Trend assessment included time (in years) as an additional covariate in models. The Final Report for this project is available from the WWAMI RHRC website.

Publications

• A National Study of Lifetime Asthma Prevalence and Trends in Metro and Non-Metro Counties, 2000-2003 (Full Report)
  WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 01/2007
  This paper reports the findings of a study regarding the prevalence of and recent trends in asthma among adults residing in metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties in the United States.
• A National Study of Lifetime Asthma Prevalence and Trends in Metro and Non-Metro Counties, 2000-2003 (Project Summary)
  WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 01/2007
  This summary provides a brief overview of the findings from a study of the prevalence of and recent trends in asthma among adults residing in metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties in the United States.