Asthma and American Indians/Alaska Natives

  • In 2021, 13.3% of American Indian/Alaska Native adults had asthma, the highest prevalence of any population.1
  • Overall, American Indian/Alaska Native children reported 42% more cases of asthma compared to children from the total population between 2019 - 2021.1
  • Data on asthma conditions for American Indian/Alaska Natives are limited.
  • While all the causes of asthma remain unclear, children exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke exposure are at increased risk for acute lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis. Children living below or near the poverty level are more likely to have high levels of blood cotinine, a breakdown product of nicotine, than children living in higher income families.1

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Looking for curated searches on asthma within minority and tribal populations, including American Indian/Alaska Natives populations, in the United States and its territories? Check out the OMH Knowledge Center Topic Guides.

Prevalence

Percentage of asthma among persons 18 years of age and over, who currently have asthma, 2024
American Indian/Alaska Native, Non-Hispanic Total population American Indian/Alaska Native /
Total Population Ratio
10.28.61.19
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Health Statistics. Interactive Summary Health Statistics for Adults. Percentage of current asthma for adults aged 18 and over, United States, 2019–2024.
Adults ages 18 and over who have ever been told they have asthma, percentage, 2018
American Indian/Alaska Native, Non-HispanicTotal PopulationAmerican Indian/Alaska Native /
Total Population Ratio
14.913.61.10
Source: CDC, 2019. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-2a.

Death rates

Asthma mortality among adults ages 18 and over, rate per million, 2021
American Indian/Alaska Native, Non-HispanicTotal PopulationAmerican Indian/Alaska Native /
Total Population Ratio
Not Reported13.1Not Reported
Source: CDC, 2022. Data, Statistics, and Surveillance, Most Recent National Asthma Data.

Treatment

The most recent National Health Interview Survey does not include data for American Indians and Alaska Natives. For information about Asthma Control in Tribal communities, visit the Indian Health Service website.

Children

Age-adjusted percentage for children under 18 years of age, ever being told they had asthma, 2023
American Indian/Alaska NativeTotal PopulationAmerican Indian/Alaska Native /
Total Population Ratio
Not Reported11.6Not Reported
Source: CDC 2021. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table C-1a.
Current Asthma prevalence among children 0-17 years of age, 2019-2021
American Indian/Alaska Native, Non-HispanicTotal PopulationAmerican Indian/Alaska Native /
Total Populations Ratio
9.26.51.42
Source: CDC, 2022. Data, Statistics, and Surveillance, Most Recent National Asthma Data.

1 CDC, 2022. Data, Statistics, and Surveillance, Most Recent National Asthma Data. (Back to top)


Date Last Reviewed: September 2025