January 20, 2010 (CHICAGO) --
The number of Americans suffering from asthma seems to be on the rise, according to the latest report from federal health officials. According to the Centers for Disease Control nearly one in 12 Americans have asthma.
In 2009, a national survey of 40,000 people showed 8.2 percent suffer from the respiratory disease. Four years earlier the rate was just under 8 percent.
CDC officials say better diagnostic efforts could be the reason for the increase.
Each year, more than 3,000 people die from asthma in the United States.