Asthma is a common condition in both children and adults. Asthma can significantly impact the quality of life of those who have it.

The mission of Santé publique France is to conduct epidemiological surveillance of asthma and to help shape a national policy for the prevention of this disease.

Epidemiological surveillance of asthma

Santé publique France conducts epidemiological surveillance of asthma in France.

This surveillance relies on a network of partners who help define surveillance indicators, conduct surveys, and analyze and interpret data.

This epidemiological surveillance is based on several key areas:

• Surveillance of asthma prevalence

This surveillance is carried out through surveys conducted among the general population, including both adults and children. Its objective is to describe trends in asthma prevalence over time and to estimate the proportion of asthma cases that are inadequately treated.

Data from recently established cohorts will enable the estimation of asthma incidence.

• Surveillance of hospitalizations for asthma

Most hospitalizations for asthma exacerbations are considered preventable through appropriate management of exacerbations and, if necessary, the use of maintenance therapy. Repeated hospitalizations for asthma in the same patient serve as an indicator of disease severity or inadequate management.

For these reasons, hospitalization data (PMSI data) are regularly analyzed by Santé publique France.

• Monitoring of emergency department visits for asthma

Conducted through regular analysis of data from the Oscour® network, monitoring of emergency department visits for asthma allows for the identification of seasonal variations in emergency care utilization due to asthma exacerbations.

• Monitoring of asthma-related mortality

Advances in asthma treatment have led to a significant reduction in asthma-related mortality. Asthma mortality data are regularly analyzed by Santé publique France.

• Surveillance of the links between asthma, work, and the environment

  • Surveillance of work-related asthma. Identifying occupations and working conditions associated with asthma risk provides useful information for the prevention of work-related asthma. Santé publique France studies the prevalence of asthma according to occupational parameters (sectors of activity, occupations, and occupational exposures) and estimates the proportion of asthma cases attributable to occupational factors. Various pilot projects have been conducted in partnership with occupational physicians, specialists from occupational disease centers, pulmonologists, and the social security fund for the self-employed. Data from recently established cohorts (COSET-MSA, COSET-Indépendants, and Constances) will enable the estimation of the prevalence and incidence of asthma according to relevant occupational parameters.

  • Study of the impact of asthma on working life. Various pilot projects have been conducted in partnership. The long-term outlook for individuals affected by asthma is often poor. Using survey data (the Health and Career Path survey, cohort studies, etc.), Santé publique France is studying the impact of asthma on working life.

  • Monitoring of asthma in relation to the environment. Santé publique France also monitors the links between air pollution and health, including respiratory diseases such as asthma.

Asthma prevention measures

Santé publique France provides information and recommends preventive measures to reduce the impact of asthma.

Information for healthcare professionals

Vaccinations

Santé publique France supports healthcare professionals by providing them with information such as:

• A fact sheet titled “Guidelines for Your Practice—Preventing Seasonal Flu”

• The vaccination-info-service website provides vaccination recommendations and lists the target groups for each vaccine-preventable disease. For patients with severe asthma, routine vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, etc.), as well as pneumococcal and flu vaccines, are recommended. Vaccination of people in close contact with asthma patients is advised (routine vaccinations and the flu vaccine).

Air pollution

Guidelines and recommendations from the French National Authority for Health (HAS)

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) provides recommendations for the diagnosis and medical management of:

• adult and adolescent asthma patients

• children with asthma under 36 months of age

Information provided by professional organizations and learned societies

Detailed information is also available on the websites of professional or international organizations such as:

• The French-Speaking Society of Pulmonology

• The Global Initiative for Asthma

• The National Institute for Research and Safety (INRS) on allergic respiratory conditions encountered in the workplace

• NIOSH on work-related asthma

Information for the general public

Vaccinations

Through a radio spot, Santé publique France provides information on the risk of chronic respiratory diseases worsening during the flu season, and on the recommended preventive measure of annual flu vaccination.

Information provided by other organizations:

• the Asthma & Allergies Association

• Health insurance, with pages dedicated to adult asthma

  • https://www.ameli.fr/assure/sante/themes/asthme

  • https://www.ameli.fr/paris/assure/droits-demarches/maladie-accident-hospitalisation/maladie-professionnelle/maladie-professionnelle

• and a page dedicated to asthma in children over 3 years old