6 - Public Comment

April 12, 2013
Ron A. Otten, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Scientific Integrity
Office of the Associate Director for Science
Office of the Director
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
MS-D74
Atlanta, GA 30333
Re: FR Doc. 2013-03894
Dear Dr. Otten:
The American Lung Association wishes to express its support for the
efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the
extension of the Asthma Information Reporting System (AIRS) for three
more years.
Safeguarding AIRS will enable states to continue collecting
standardized and enhanced surveillance information on asthma, not
available elsewhere. In addition, AIRS has been instrumental in
informing the public of the positive effects of National Asthma Control
Program activities in addressing the burden of asthma. The work of
AIRS helps achieve the goals established in the American Lung
Association National Asthma Public Policy Agenda that the CDC helped
develop in 2009, including the goal of a comprehensive, nationwide
asthma surveillance system.
As you know, close to 26 million Americans currently have asthma
including 7.1 million children. Asthma is a leading cause of activity
limitations and costs our nation $56 billion in health care costs annually.
Initiatives such as the CDC’s National Asthma Control Program, and
the data that comes from its activities, are essential if we are to have a
positive impact on the burden of asthma.
Thank you for your continued leadership.
Sincerely,

Harold Wimmer
National President and CEO