[Bronchial asthma--epidemiology, public and economic problems].

In this review, authors described epidemiology of asthma in regards to mortality and disability caused by the disease. In particular, long-time statistical analyses of asthma mortality in United States and Great Britain has been shown. Specific mortality factors between United States and Regional Health Authority of Lodz were compared. Economical costs of asthma management were studied, taking United States as an example. The review also focused on variety of preventive and counteraction programs, for example the national health program--'Prevention and treatment of asthma and allergic diseases'.