英语课程计划-World Asthma Day（在线收听）

World Asthma Day takes place every year to raise awareness of asthma throughout the world. It is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Many other healthcare groups pool resources to help GINA spread the word. All of these groups prepare leaflets and websites to highlight how millions of people suffer from asthma. Their aim is to provide all asthma sufferers with the treatment they need to control their condition. They particularly want to reduce the number of worldwide deaths caused by asthma. The different groups hold activities throughout the world to raise money for asthma research. World Asthma Day started in 1998. There is a different focus each year.

Asthma is a very common disease throughout the world. It affects people’s breathing by irritating the airways. These are the small tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. A number of things can happen that cause the airways to get smaller and become inflamed. This makes breathing very uncomfortable and can cause death. People can have an “asthma attack” after breathing in things like cigarette smoke, perfume, dust or even moist air. Other triggers that can set off an attack are exercise and emotional stress. The symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. Asthma is increasing in cities. Health officials report that up to 25 per cent of children in urban areas suffer from the condition.