The Advocacy Council of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has reviewed a report from the Presidential Commission to Make America Healthy Again. This report, known as the MAHA Report, examines childhood chronic diseases, including allergy and asthma.
The MAHA Report indicates that over 40% of U.S. children have at least one chronic health issue such as asthma or allergies. It highlights an increase in eczema and skin allergies among children from 7.4% between 1997 and 1999 to 12.7% between 2016 and 2018. Childhood food allergy prevalence also rose by 88% from 1997 to 2018.
Despite improvements in environmental exposures, such as a significant reduction in lead exposure since the 1970s, the report argues that overall childhood health continues to decline. The potential link between chronic disease and cumulative environmental risks is noted as poorly understood.
The report also mentions a growing reliance on prescription medications among children, with an increase in asthma drug prescriptions by 30% between 1999 and 2008. It claims that up to 40% of mild asthma cases are overprescribed medications.
However, the Advocacy Council disagrees with this finding, suggesting instead that asthma medications are underprescribed based on age, symptoms, severity, and side effects. They emphasize working closely with healthcare providers to manage symptoms effectively.
The council points out that oral corticosteroids represent only a subset of prescribed asthma medications and does not address quick-relief treatments like inhalers.
Asthma diagnosis can be challenging in young children who may struggle with airflow tests or describing their symptoms. Therefore, it is important for caregivers to recognize signs of asthma.
Proper treatment is crucial for managing asthma effectively to avoid emergency department visits or hospitalizations. Most people with asthma require both quick-relief medicines (bronchodilators) and long-term control medicines like inhaled corticosteroids.
Emily Hilliard from HHS stated that despite correcting minor citation errors in the MAHA Report, its substance remains unchanged as a historic assessment by the federal government regarding childhood chronic diseases.
Of note for allergists is the absence of a study titled "Overprescribing of Oral Corticosteroids for Children With Asthma" cited in the MAHA Report. A similar study was published in Pediatrics but had different co-authors than those listed in the MAHA Report.
