Asthma has grown out to be a very common medical condition and you will find a lot many people around you who are suffering from it. There are a number of factors which can triggers asthma and most of these factors have a strong connection with the air quality. Every year several foundations and organizations like the Asthma and the Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) organizes some studies on the basis of which they rank cities. The cities which are able to make it up to such lists are considered to the one providing healthy atmosphere for people having asthma. Some of these big cities are mentioned below.
1. Portland, Maine
Well, Portland definitely belongs to one of the most livable cities of America and it is not only us who are saying this, even the Forbes magazine ranked it number one on the list of America’s Most Livable Cities in the year 2009, and this happened because of its low crime rate, cultural scene and string economy. This city features good air quality and the authorities have imposed strict no-smoking laws in the public places. Tobacco smoke is known to bring on an asthma attack in some people because it is a potent asthma trigger. So, people suffering from asthma will find it livable, too.
2. Daytona Beach, Florida
Not only this city is provides suitable atmosphere for people having asthma, but also it is one of the most beautiful city to live in. In the AAFA’s list of top 10 cities, it was ranked as “worse than average” only in one category which is the % of people who don’t have a health insurance, whereas the air quality is considered above the average. The only place from which the asthma patients must stay away is the Daytona International Speedway because the Daytona 500 NASCAR race is held on it each year which results in the emulsion of auto exhaust containing nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons which are major asthma trigger.
3. Boise, Idaho
Although the average number of people having asthma in this city is higher than the national average, but still this city is on our list because of it air quality and low poverty rate. You must bet thinking that why we are talking about poverty rate. Although the relationship between asthma and poverty is a very complicated one, but still poverty is an important risk factor for asthma as it has been observed over time that people living in poverty are more vulnerable to asthma. This is because of the fact that they are more exposed to airborne irritants, allergens and emotional stress.
4. San Francisco, California
The cities of Fremont and Oakland together, constitute the Bay area of San Francisco which is the largest urban area to make it to the list of AAFA’s top 10. The annual pollen score was the only category in which this city was rated to be “below average”. San Francisco is best suited for asthma patients because it has made fighting asthma, a civic priority. Asthma task force which is a group consisting of health professionals, community leaders and asthmatics was created in the 2001 by the city’s Board of Supervisors in order to fight asthma.
5. Palm Bay, Florida
Palm Bay is beautiful city located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, on the south of Daytona Beach. The primary reasons because of which this city was able to claim such a high spot on the AAFA’s list was good air quality (including pollen count) and low asthma rates. The city’s motto is “A Perfect Place to Grow” and it strives hard to achieve its goals, that is why is it is the perfect place for kids with asthma.
6. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Located in the Rocky Mountain ranges, the Colorado Springs City is top city in our list in terms of highest elevation. It is situated at least 6000 feet above the sea level and this elevation makes is asthma-friendly because of the less widespread of dust mites at higher elevation. These are one of the most common asthma triggers and because of low humidity at such places, these dust mites along with other sort of air pollutants like ozone and traffic exhaust don’t get ample opportunity to spread in the atmosphere.
7. Seattle, Washington
Although this city can be claimed to be the number one in terms of basic amenities and infrastructure but we will give it only an average score for its air quality. However, there are still a number of areas where they can improve. In the year 1990, the Clean Air Act was violated by Seattle for the first time and since then; the state and local officials are working hard to improve the air quality in the city.
8. Portland, Oregon
Despite of the fact that the asthma rate of this city is above average, the Portland City is able to make it up to this list because of its “green” factor. A large number of trees ensures that this city never runs out of clean air making it friendly to asthmatics overall. A new smoking ban has been imposed as step towards improving the air quality.
9. Minneapolis, Minnesota
The best thing about these twin cities is the quality of air which has always been above average. However, it can get very cold here making it unsuitable for some asthmatics. Spasms can develop in your bronchial tubes because of the cold, dry air and strong winds making the conditions unpleasant for everybody, especially for those who are suffering from asthma.
10. Cape Coral, Florida
This rapidly growing Cape Coral metro city is located on the Gulf of Mexico and definitely deserves the top spot in terms of livable conditions for asthmatics. Some people may claim that its hot and humid climate can aggravate the asthma symptoms; however, it has been found that near tropical climate actually provides relief for most of the people having asthma.
