Living with asthma or allergies means you have to worry about the air around you each day. But where are environmental triggers the worst? Start a search today to explore a few of the worst cities you can live in if you have asthma or allergies.
Being exposed to poor air quality and environmental triggers can worsen your quality of life. It could also result in more doctor’s visits – or even land you in the hospital. So, if you’re living with asthma or allergies, avoid these places!
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio is one of the worst cities for asthma and allergy sufferers. Year after year, it ranks at the top of the list – and it’s considered the worst city in both Ohio and the entire Midwest for anyone who struggles with a breathing condition.
Why is Dayton such a bad choice for those with asthma and allergies? The city has the fourth-highest number of emergency room visits for asthma-related issues. Dayton is also home to the third largest population of citizens on asthma medications, meaning breathing problems are common in the area.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is a well-known city filled with American history – but it’s also filled with some serious air quality issues. This metropolis has thousands of residents with asthma, and it ranks sixth in the nation for asthma-related deaths.
So, living in Philadelphia with asthma or allergies could directly damage your overall health. And in this city, the transition from winter to spring can introduce plenty of breathing challenges. Philadelphia has a notoriously challenging spring allergy season, and that can be problematic for asthma sufferers too.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville may not seem like a city with any health worries, but it’s a surprisingly dangerous place to live if you have asthma or allergies. This city has one of the highest prevalences of asthma in the U.S. – and many residents are on long-term asthma control medications.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranks Louisville, Kentucky near the top of its “worst cities” list thanks to air quality issues, high pollen count, asthma prevalence, and asthma-related mortality.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee doesn’t seem to be a bad place for asthma and allergy sufferers to live – at the surface, at least. With average air quality, you don’t have to worry about the air affecting your condition. During seasonal shifts, the pollen score can get very high.
But unfortunately, you do need to worry about your overall health. Memphis has a high asthma occurrence rate and a high asthma death rate. And that may be because there aren’t many asthma specialists in the city or its surrounding areas.
Detroit, Michigan
If there’s a city with a bad reputation for health and wellness, it’s Detroit. And when it comes to asthma and allergies, this notorious city brings bad news. Detroit recently skyrocketed to the top of “worst city” lists for asthma and allergy sufferers thanks to a worse-than-average rating for air quality.
And poor air quality isn’t the only issue with living in Detroit. The city and its metro area have a high number of asthma sufferers, a high death rate, a high number of residents on asthma medications, and a very low number of medical specialists.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is a terrible city for asthma or allergy sufferers. With a worse than average asthma rate, there are thousands of residents suffering from breathing problems within the city and its surrounding area.
And Oklahoma City is also home to a number of factors that are known to aggravate asthma and allergies. From public smoking to poor air quality, a high pollen score to frequent ER visits for asthma sufferers, the health outlook in this city isn’t a positive one.
Take Charge of Asthma and Allergies No Matter Where You Live
Are you ready to breathe easier? If you’re living with asthma or allergies, the city you live in could be aggravating your condition and your wellness. Both asthma and allergies can make even simple activities, like walking or going outside, challenging. And these two conditions can be triggered by the very same factors. Pollen, dust mites, poor air quality, and high levels of pollution are all important considerations – even though you can’t see them. Even cold air can have an impact.
So, if you’re finding it difficult to manage your asthma or allergies, it might be time to rethink where you’re living. Some U.S. cities are far worse for these critical health conditions than others. And living in a city where you’re surrounded by triggers can take a serious toll on your long-term health. To get your symptoms and health under control, you may need other options. You may need to consider different cities – cities that area asthma and allergy friendly.