Asthma is a medical condition that causes breathing issues. This respiratory condition leads to the airways narrowing down and swelling. Difficulty breathing triggers cough, which is often accompanied by wheezing. It can also be accompanied by shortness of breath and can hamper a patient’s daily routine. It can also be life-threatening in some cases. Several factors contribute to the development of the disease and trigger the symptoms, including weather conditions and air quality.

Here are the worst cities in the country to live in for people with breathing issues, in no particular order:

1. Omaha, NE
Omaha in Nebraska is one of the worst US cities to live in for people with asthma, allergies, or any other breathing issues. Additionally, the number of asthma-related ER visits and the death rate of asthma patients is high in this city.

2. Louisville, KY
The city of Louisville ranks among the worst cities to live in for people with seasonal allergies. The city is known for bluegrass, which gives out a lot of pollen. A high pollen count, in turn, triggers asthmatic symptoms, causing or aggravating any existing symptoms or breathing troubles. The city is also one of the smoggiest cities in the country, making it one of the most unlivable ones for asthma patients and for people who are prone to seasonal allergies.

3. Cleveland, OH
Cleveland in Ohio is the next city on the list of the worst cities to live in for people with breathing issues. It is among the cities where a high number of asthma patients use quick-relief asthma medications, indicating that the air quality is low and other factors that trigger asthma attacks are high.

4. Philadelphia, PA
The city of Philadelphia is among the worst cities to live in for people with breathing issues as it has poor air quality. It also has high levels of ozone, which further elevates problems for asthmatics.

5. Dayton, OH
Dayton city is among the ones highly unsuitable for asthma patients to live in, as the air quality is poor. This city forms a portion of the Ohio asthma belt, where there are a high number of asthma cases. Statistics say that the city also has one of the highest rates of ER visits by asthma patients.

6. Springfield, MA
With poor air quality, Springfield in MA is another city where asthma patients will find it difficult to lead a healthy life. Data also confirms that the city has a high pollen count, making it even more difficult to live in for asthmatics and people prone to allergies.

The latest statistics say that over 25 million people in the country have asthma. Additionally, at least ten people in the country lose their lives due to the respiratory condition daily.