Asthma remains a major public health issue in Harris County and is one of the most common chronic diseases in children nationwide. Nationally, approximately 26.8 million people, including about 4.5 million children, currently have asthma, with a pediatric prevalence of about 6.2% based on recent data from 2022 (CDC). While local estimates for Harris County vary, asthma prevalence in Texas and similar urban counties remains comparable to or slightly above national averages, reflecting a continued high burden among children. Asthma contributes significantly to healthcare utilization, including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and ongoing treatment costs. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), poorly controlled asthma is associated with increased school absenteeism, frequent emergency room visits, and unplanned physician care. Although asthma-related outcomes such as hospitalizations and deaths have declined over the past decade, asthma remains potentially life-threatening if not properly managed. On average, approximately 10 people die each day in the United States from asthma-related complications, according to the CDC.
Although asthma is not curable, studies have shown that, with the proper knowledge and treatment of symptoms and triggers, asthma can be adequately controlled with medication and a self-management plan. With ongoing environmental and natural disasters and poor air quality present in Harris County, the TAC program aims to reduce the asthma burden within the county and empower the community to lead healthier lives.