Prevalence and control of asthma among US youths aged 12 to 19 years (2001–2023): A cross-sectional study

Childhood asthma is linked to socioeconomic factors, but prior studies and CDC reports lack 22-year stratified analyses of the 12 to 19 years subgroup, simultaneous assessment of multiple outcomes, and evaluation of post-2012 disparity changes. This age group is a critical transition period for asthma management, with long-term trends and disparities poorly understood. To systematically explore long-term trends in asthma prevalence and self-reported poor control indicators (asthma attacks, ED visits) among US youths aged 12 to 19 years, and sociodemographic disparities over 2001 to 2023. This cross-sectional trend analysis used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 22 years (2001-2023), including 17,096 adolescents (3290 with current asthma). Sociodemographic subgroups were defined by age and race/ethnicity. Analyses incorporated combined mobile examination center (MEC) and interview weights to account for National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey' complex sampling design. A sensitivity analysis excluded the 2017 to 2020 cycle to address COVID-19-related data disruptions. Asthma prevalence remained disproportionately high in non-Hispanic Black youth, with no statistically significant narrowing of disparities post-2012 (2.17% in 2013-2016 vs 3.99% in 2021-2023; P > .05). Self-reported poor control indicators were suboptimal overall, with no detectable improvement trends during the study period. Sensitivity analysis (excluding 2017-2020) confirmed the robustness of core findings. Persistent sociodemographic disparities in adolescent asthma burden highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing structural inequities. Future studies should include confounder adjustment to clarify potential causal pathways.