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Modify other risk factors to limit asthma exacerbations

  • As an ambulatory care-sensitive condition, when asthma is managed well and treated appropriately, severe acute exacerbations resulting in hospital admission can be avoided (The King's Fund 2012).
  • Avoidance of exacerbations would also include mitigating the contributory effects of unhealthy homes (WDH-002) and poor air quality (see NICE guidance below).
  • Outdoor air pollution is associated with asthma exacerbations in children and adults (PLoS One 2017 Mar 20;12(3):e0174050). 
  • Exposure to indoor air pollution is greater in urban compared to rural areas, but may be associated with risk of asthma in both given the presence of differing pollutants (Indoor Air 2010 Dec;20(6):502–14).
  • Small-area associations between air pollution (nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter), deprivation status and health outcomes exist in Wales; this includes respiratory disease mortality (J Public Health 2017 Sep 1;39(3):485–497).