Asthma is a common chronic lung disease, which affects approximately 120,000 children in Hongkong. Statistics showed that 40% of this population require outpatient specialty care from time to time. Patients who are hospitalized represent 15% of children admitted to medical facilities. In recent years, various studies proved that there is an increasing trend in the number of asthma cases.

1. Asthma Prevalence in HK:
Nurture, Not Nature
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2. Asthma is a common chronic lung disease, which affects approximately 120,000 children in
Hongkong. Statistics showed that 40% of this population require outpatient specialty care
from time to time. Patients who are hospitalized represent 15% of children admitted to
medical facilities. In recent years, various studies proved that there is an increasing trend in
the number of asthma cases.
Furthermore, a growing body of research shows that while there are various causes of
asthma, the environment primarily contributes to the prevalence of the respiratory condition
in the country. There is a greater need for families to find better health coverage for
children.
The Case of Environmental Asthma
Allergens
Researchers and professors from The
Chinese University of Hong Kong conducted a
study, which involved 11,000 children who
ranged in age from 9 to 11, all coming from
the three different cities, Beijing, Guangzhou,
and Hong Kong. They used questionnaires to
gather information about the children’s living
conditions and existing health conditions, like
allergies.
The research team also used the skin-prick
test to monitor children’s reaction to different
allergens, but because of the tedious nature
of the method, the research team used it
only for a random few.
The results showed that children are at

3. Children who inhale secondhand smoke
run the risk of developing a narrower bronchial
tube. Synthetic bedding and pillow, on the other
hand, have oil ingredients that produce chemical
gas that may cause infection and attract dust.
Cooking gas produces gases which cause
asthma symptoms.
Need for Medical Insurance
Environment-triggered asthma presents
the need for effective prevention measures. Not
only is it important to create a healthy
environment for children, but also offer better
healthcare.
In separate studies, researchers showed
that securing health insurance contributes to
early and proper diagnosis of mild or
intermittent asthma. Patients who have acute
symptoms of asthma are rarely diagnosed,
compared to patients who have severe
symptoms; this makes them more at risk for
other health conditions.

4. Securing an insurance plan helps in preventing further development of asthma symptoms,
according to researchers, as parents become more sensitive to their child’s condition after
diagnosis.
Environment plays a crucial role in the increased risk for asthma. Not only is it important
for families to create a healthy environment for children, but also to provide better health
care.
RESOURCES:
Pacific Prime - http://www.pacificprime.com/
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/rtao/research/rhl/asthma.htm
http://hkasthma.org.hk/en/about-asthma/asthma-hong-kong
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9042632