May 05, 2015

Report: Philly is third-worst place in U.S. for asthma sufferers

The 2015 annual ranking points to poor air quality as a large part of the issue

By Elisa Lala
PhillyVoice Contributor

If you live in Philadelphia and suffer from asthma, you’re not alone.

Philadelphia has been ranked the third most challenging place in the U.S. to live in with asthma, according to a report the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released Tuesday in observance of World Asthma Day. The report ranked the 100 largest U.S. metro areas.

Men cross North Broad Street on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Philadelphia. (Matt Rourke/AP)

AAFA's 2015 rankings, which were determined based on 13 critical factors, including environmental conditions, hospital visits for asthma-related symptoms and deaths due to asthma, ranked Philadelphia as the third-worst place in the U.S. for asthma sufferers behind only Memphis (No. 1) and Richmond (No. 2). Philadelphia was ranked fifth-worst last year.

Several significant factors contributed to Philadelphia's spot this year, including poor air quality and a high number of emergency room visits for asthma, the report notes.

To view the full rankings and read the entire report, click here.

Elisa Lala
PhillyVoice Contributor