Asthma and allergy rates have been climbing rapidly throughout the developed world. From Yahoo! News – Asthma in UK Children Quadrupled Since 70s:
Back in 1973, a project survey showed that 5.5 percent of children had been diagnosed with asthma. By 1988, that number had more than doubled, with 12% suffering from the condition.The latest in the series of surveys, carried out in 2003, showed 27.3 percent with asthma.
Presumably something in the environment has changed — central heating and air conditioning, wall-to-wall carpeting, vaccinations, something — which makes this doctor’s focus seem misplaced:
Professor Andrew Peacock of the BTS noted the UK has among the highest rates of asthma in Europe.“We must tackle asthma on a number of fronts, including vital research into possible genetic causes and urge appropriate use of preventative treatments, as this study shows that their use can be beneficial,” he added in a statement.