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Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

How does asthma affect tribal communities?

Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening respiratory disease that affects the quality of life for millions of Americans. Managing triggers is especially important for tribal communities who are disproportionately affected by asthma. A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that asthma affects almost 12 percent of people living in tribal communities-nearly double the current national average of 7 percent.

There are many things you can do to reduce the likelihood of an asthma attack, including reducing asthma triggers in your home and workplace. Asthma triggers are things that make asthma worse, including: secondhand smoke, dust mites, molds, cockroaches and pests, pets, nitrogen dioxide, and outdoor air.

For more information about asthma triggers, please visit www.epa.gov/asthma.