Living With Asthma
For those living with asthma, everyday things like air quality, allergens and weather can make a huge difference in their symptoms. Unfortunately, some cities make living with asthma especially hard. Whether it's due to high pollution levels, lots of allergens or poor healthcare access, certain places are tougher than others for asthma sufferers.
Here are the top 10 worst cities for asthma in the USA—and why they’re so challenging.
1. Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown frequently ranks at the top of asthma danger lists. The city has high rates of asthma-related ER visits and poor air quality. It's surrounded by highways and industrial areas that pump pollutants into the air, and many residents struggle to access proper healthcare, making it harder to manage symptoms.
2. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit has a history of industrial pollution, and while things have improved, the air still contains high levels of particulate matter. The city also experiences extreme weather changes that can trigger asthma attacks. Poverty and limited access to healthcare in many areas only make things worse.
3. Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland’s location near the Great Lakes means it deals with moisture and mold—two asthma triggers. It also has high pollen counts in spring and summer. Add in air pollution from traffic and industry, and it’s easy to see why people with asthma struggle here.
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4. Wichita, Kansas
Wichita might surprise you, but it has some of the highest pollen levels in the country. Ragweed and grass pollens are especially troublesome in the spring and fall. Combine that with dry, windy weather that stirs up dust and allergens, and it becomes a tough place for asthmatics.
5. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Air pollution, high pollen counts and dry, windy days make Oklahoma City a triple threat. The city is also in a region known for wild weather, which can bring sudden changes in air pressure—something that can trigger asthma symptoms for some people.
6. Fresno, California
Fresno is located in California’s Central Valley, where air often gets trapped by surrounding mountains. That leads to smog and high levels of ozone—a major asthma trigger. Plus, the region’s agricultural activity adds pesticides and dust to the mix, making breathing even harder.
7. New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven has high asthma rates, especially among children. Industrial pollution and heavy traffic contribute to poor air quality, and many older buildings in the area may contain mold and dust. The humid climate can also make symptoms worse for people with respiratory issues.
8. Richmond, Virginia
Richmond deals with year-round allergens like pollen and mold. The city’s location in the South means long allergy seasons, and the warm, humid weather doesn’t help. Richmond also has higher-than-average asthma-related hospital visits, showing that many residents struggle to control their condition.
9. Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is known for its “allergy season from hell.” It consistently ranks as one of the worst cities for allergies due to its high pollen counts, especially from trees in the spring and weeds in the fall. That’s bad news for asthma sufferers, as allergies often go hand-in-hand with asthma flare-ups.
10. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia has a mix of problems: high pollution, traffic congestion and many older homes with dust, mold and pests—all known asthma triggers. The city also has high asthma rates among children, and many areas have limited access to healthcare or asthma education.
What Can You Do?
If you live in one of these cities, there are ways to help control your asthma:
- Monitor air quality. Use apps or websites to track pollen and pollution levels.
- Stay indoors on bad air days. When pollution or pollen is high, try to limit outdoor activities.
- Keep your home clean. Use air purifiers, vacuum often and reduce mold and dust.
- Work with a doctor. A good asthma action plan can make a big difference.
Living with asthma isn’t always easy, especially in cities with tough conditions. But with the right tools, knowledge and support, it’s possible to breathe easier—no matter where you live.
Keep reading to learn about asthma triggers to avoid.