Asthma Basics Asthma—the most common chronic illness in children—is a persistent lung disease characterized by intermittent episodes, or ‘attacks’, during which the airways become blocked and swollen. This video from kidshealth.org demonstrates how asthma affects the airways. Coughing and wheezing caused by asthma can make it hard for children to play sports, study, or even attend school. Severe asthma flare ups can require emergency hospital care, and can even be life threatening. While many think that asthma symptoms and attacks are unavoidable, with a proper asthma action plan, asthmatic children should be able to: - Attend school regularly;
- Avoid hospitalization and emergency room visits; and
- Participate in physical activities.
Without proper medication and education, such as the accessible asthma care and individualized education provided by Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation, asthma in Chicago asthma will remain a huge problem. In fact, Chicago's childhood asthma rate is one of the highest in the country and Chicago’s asthma statistics are startling. The asthma hospitalization rate in Chicago is nearly double the national average. The asthma mortality rate in Chicago is nearly eight times higher for African-Americans than for Caucasians. And consistent with the nationwide trend, asthma is the number one cause of school absenteeism related to a chronic illness among children. Children and families need preventative, cost-effective, medical care and resources to stay healthy. This includes: - Educational material and instructions on how to identify and avoid triggers - airway irritants that can lead to an asthma attack;
- Knowledge and tools, such as a peak flow meter, to detect the early warning signs of airway inflammation and obstruction; and
- Effective medication that can consist of the two main categories of asthma medication - rescue medication and controller medication
Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation provides these services and resources and more, free of charge to children and families. 
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