Government Health Leaders Vow to Continue Asthma Fight

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In recognition of World Asthma Day on May 3, the directors of three key government health agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to research and clinical studies that will improve prevention, diagnosis, and management of the chronic illness estimated to affect 17 million aduts and 7 million youth under age 18 in the U.S. Asthma is also a concern of psychiatrists and others in the mental health care field, since studies have shown that depression is associated with physiological changes that can increase the risk of asthma and other disorders. For more information see http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/45/16/16.1.full. In addition, a recent study has shown a link between asthma and suicide by teenagers. Read more at http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/45/21/20.2.full.