Click here to access the 2008 Imperial County Report Card! 

According to EPA standards, Imperial County is in serous non-attainment for particulate matter and in moderate non-attainment for ozone. These classifications indicate that the community is in great health risk.

This is apparent because rates of asthma for both adults and young children in Imperial County are amongst the highest in California. Information collected through the 2005 California Health Interview Survey indicates that 21% of children in Imperial County are diagnosed with asthma; an increase from 2001 (15%) and 2003 (19%).

Whereas, the statewide average for children diagnosed with asthma was 16% for 2005. It is reported by the California Breathing Program and Office of Statewide Planning and Development that adult hospitalization ratio for the County in 2005 was 13.6 asthma related hospitalizations for every 10,000 adults, and averaged 10.8 hospitalization for every 10,000 adults during 2001-2005; whereas, the state average during the same period was 4.5 hospitalizations for every 10,000 adults.

Moreover, children hospitalized for asthma within Imperial County in 2005 was 39.1 for every 10,000 children. In comparison, children in Imperial County are 6.4 times likelier to be hospitalized for asthma than other children in the state.

Asthma can be controlled. You can do it! When you know how to control asthma, it no longer controls you.

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