In less than one year, more than 11 million Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

As winter months approach and case numbers continue to surge, over 200,000 people have died. While there is still much to learn about the disease, we do know that it can affect the nose, throat, and lungs. In fact, according to the American Lung Association, the lungs are the first organs impacted, as the virus can cause a cough and difficulty breathing. As such, various pre-existing respiratory conditions may increase the risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, including pulmonary fibrosis and asthma.

According to the CDC, almost 10 percent of American adults have asthma, a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, often causing difficulty in breathing. Prior to the pandemic, the percentage of adults with asthma in the U.S. had been rising steadily for years, peaking at 9.7 percent in 2019.

The coronavirus has not been the only major cause for concern for those with asthma in 2020. Residents of Western states such as California and Oregon, as well as many in Colorado, have dealt with record-breaking fires for much of the year while fire season continues to rage on. Smoke from wildfires can make breathing more difficult for those with asthma. For the same reason, smoking cigarettes is discouraged for those with asthma, yet—somewhat surprisingly—a higher rate of American adults afflicted with asthma smoke than those who do not have asthma. Tobacco smoke, including secondhand smoke, is especially unhealthy for people with asthma, as asthma attacks are triggered when airways become irritated.

Looking at overall health, recent CDC data shows that locations with higher percentages of adults with asthma report higher rates of poor physical health in adults. In fact, obesity is associated significantly with the development of asthma. Not surprisingly, locations throughout the U.S. with higher percentages of adults with asthma also have higher obesity rates.

The analysis found that in Tennessee, 8.8% of adults report having asthma. The analysis also revealed a 36.5% obesity rate in Tennessee. According to the CDC, obesity is associated significantly with the development of asthma. Out of all states, Tennessee has the 15th lowest percentage of adults with asthma. Here is a summary of the data for Tennessee:

• Percentage of adults with asthma: 8.8%
• Percentage of adults who smoke: 19.9%
• Percentage of adults in poor physical health: 15.0%
• Obesity rate: 36.5%
• Poverty rate: 13.9%

For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:

• Percentage of adults with asthma: 9.7%
• Percentage of adults who smoke: 16.0%
• Percentage of adults in poor physical health: 12.6%
• Obesity rate: 32.1%
• Poverty rate: 12.3%

For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, you can find the original report on Filterbuy’s website: https://filterbuy.com/resources/cities-with-most-asthma/