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What is Asthma?

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Asthma is a chronic lung condition in which the airways become inflamed, making it harder to breathe. Asthma can cause wheezing, breathlessness, coughing, chest tightness, disturbed sleep, school absences, curtailed physical activity, hospital visits, and, in rare cases, death. More than 8% of all US children have asthma. It is the most common chronic disease of childhood.

There is growing evidence that the onset of childhood asthma can be triggered by air pollution.

What causes asthma?

Asthma is a complex disease with multiple factors, but air pollution can cause asthma and trigger asthma attacks. Diesel exhaust, smog, particle pollution, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, wildfire smoke, and volatile organic compounds are all air pollutants that make asthma worse. Asthma attacks can also be triggered by pollen and heat.

As climate change worsens, temperatures rise steadily. Across the country, temperature records are being obliterated. Hot days mean higher incidences of asthma attacks.

What you can do.

Learn more about asthma by exploring our resources.

Join us in your state to work to keep the air cleaner and fight climate change. Your efforts will help children breathe easier.

More Articles and Resources

  • Articles
  • Resources
  • Take Action
Moms Make News: Tiny Pollutant Poses Huge Health Threat

Article

Moms Make News: Tiny Pollutant Poses Huge Health Threat

Moms Testify at Methane Hearing in Record Numbers

Article

Moms Testify at Methane Hearing in Record Numbers

Moms Make News: EPA Methane Rule Gets Strong Support From Moms

Article

Moms Make News: EPA Methane Rule Gets Strong Support From Moms

Moms Make News: Cleaner Trucks for Healthier Kids

Article

Moms Make News: Cleaner Trucks for Healthier Kids

Moms Make News: Climate Hope is a Verb

Article

Moms Make News: Climate Hope is a Verb

Living With Fossil Fuels: Gas Stove Testing

Article

Living With Fossil Fuels: Gas Stove Testing

On the Front Lines of Oil and Gas Development: Erandi Treviño, Houston

Article

On the Front Lines of Oil and Gas Development: Erandi Treviño, Houston

EPA: Stop Dragging Your Feet

Article

EPA: Stop Dragging Your Feet

On the Front Lines of Oil and Gas Development: Shaina Oliver, North Denver, Colorado

Article

On the Front Lines of Oil and Gas Development: Shaina Oliver, North Denver, Colorado

Wildfires Threaten the Health of Native American Families

Article

Wildfires Threaten the Health of Native American Families

Children Born After a "Major Weather-Related Disaster" More Likely to Suffer Anxiety, Depression

Article

Children Born After a "Major Weather-Related Disaster" More Likely to Suffer Anxiety, Depression

3 Tools to Live Healthier in the Age of Climate Change

Article

3 Tools to Live Healthier in the Age of Climate Change

Read more articles about Asthma »

10 Things to Know About Climate, Clean Air, and Health Equity

Fact Sheet

10 Things to Know About Climate, Clean Air, and Health Equity

Indigenous People and Air Pollution in the United States

Fact Sheet

Indigenous People and Air Pollution in the United States

How Climate Change Affects Asthma

Fact Sheet

How Climate Change Affects Asthma

Cómo el cambio climático afecta al asma

Fact Sheet

Cómo el cambio climático afecta al asma

How Air Pollution Harms Your Body

Fact Sheet

How Air Pollution Harms Your Body

Asthma in the African American Community

Fact Sheet

Asthma in the African American Community

Air Pollution and Latinos

Fact Sheet

Air Pollution and Latinos

Trump Administration Moves Under Cover of COVID

Timeline

Trump Administration Moves Under Cover of COVID

What Health Professionals Can Do About Climate Change

Fact Sheet

What Health Professionals Can Do About Climate Change

Climate Change and Children's Health

Fact Sheet

Climate Change and Children's Health

My Son Has Asthma

Video

My Son Has Asthma

Lo que los profesionales de la salud pueden hacer respecto del cambio climático

Fact Sheet

Lo que los profesionales de la salud pueden hacer respecto del cambio climático

See more resources about Asthma »

Tell the Consumer Product Safety Commission: Protect Our Families From Gas Stove Pollution

Petition

Tell the Consumer Product Safety Commission: Protect Our Families From Gas Stove Pollution

Clean Air Action Guide

Action Guide

Clean Air Action Guide

10 Things to Know About Climate, Clean Air, and Health Equity

Fact Sheet

10 Things to Know About Climate, Clean Air, and Health Equity

Indigenous People and Air Pollution in the United States

Fact Sheet

Indigenous People and Air Pollution in the United States

How Climate Change Affects Asthma

Fact Sheet

How Climate Change Affects Asthma

Cómo el cambio climático afecta al asma

Fact Sheet

Cómo el cambio climático afecta al asma

How Air Pollution Harms Your Body

Fact Sheet

How Air Pollution Harms Your Body

Asthma in the African American Community

Fact Sheet

Asthma in the African American Community

Air Pollution and Latinos

Fact Sheet

Air Pollution and Latinos

Moms Make News: Tiny Pollutant Poses Huge Health Threat

Article

Moms Make News: Tiny Pollutant Poses Huge Health Threat

Moms Testify at Methane Hearing in Record Numbers

Article

Moms Testify at Methane Hearing in Record Numbers

Moms Make News: EPA Methane Rule Gets Strong Support From Moms

Article

Moms Make News: EPA Methane Rule Gets Strong Support From Moms

Moms Make News: Cleaner Trucks for Healthier Kids

Article

Moms Make News: Cleaner Trucks for Healthier Kids

Moms Make News: Climate Hope is a Verb

Article

Moms Make News: Climate Hope is a Verb

See more Asthma resources »

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Moms Clean Air Force

We are a community of over one million moms and dads united against air pollution – including the urgent crisis of our changing climate – to protect our children’s health.

Areas of Focus

  • What Is Air Pollution?
  • What is Climate Change?
  • What are Toxic Chemicals?

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