Respiratory MedicineVolume 149, March 2019, Pages 16-22Review articleEpidemiology and risk factors for asthmaAuthor links open overlay panelMerin E. Kuruvilla, Kristine Vanijcharoenkarn, Jennifer A. Shih, Frances Eun-Hyung LeeShow moreShareCitehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2019.01.014Get rights and contentUnder an Elsevier user licenseopen archiveHighlights•Both asthma incidence as well as prevalence have increased dramatically both globally and in the United States over the past 50 years.•Distinct populations including children and ethnic minorities show a disproportionate disease burden.•Multiple risk factors have been implicated in the development of the various childhood and adult phenotypes of asthma.•Increased knowledge of predisposing factors could facilitate public health measures as well as primary prevention strategies.Previous article in issueNext article in issueRecommended articlesCited by (0)© 2019 Elsevier Ltd.