Floyd J. Malveaux, M.D., Ph.D.
Howard University College of Medicine

"KICK ASTHMA!"
Asthma is a common, chronic disease of the respiratory airways. It has increased in prevalence in the last 25 years and during this time there has also been an increase in asthma death rates, hospitalizations and emergency visits. These increases in asthma mortality and morbidity have been disproportionately high in some minority groups, especially those living in low socioeconomic conditions. It is ironic that during this same period, the medical community has learned more about the causes and pathology of asthma than ever in our history and has developed the most potent medications to date. While the disease can not be cured, but can be controlled, the quality of life of individuals with asthma can be very good and comparable to that of nonasthmatics. Achieving the goals of good management is realistic. The future is indeed bright as we learn more about the development of this disease in individuals and families, how environmental factors initiate and worsen disease symptoms, and how to tailor newer medications that are more specific for individuals through pharmacogenomics.