Asthma is thought to affect an estimated 339 million people around the globe, with a prevalence rates as high as 20% of adults in some nations (Global Asthma Network 2018). It is one of the most common chronic conditions, impacting people across all genders, ethnicities, and socio-economic classes, though it is noted as being especially prevalent in poor and minority communities. While for many sufferers, asthma has a significant impact on education, work, activity levels, and overall quality of life, the condition is generally not well understood. And, until recently, asthma has not been an especially popular topic of anthropological study.

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