EDITOR
Harrison Wein, Ph.D., Writer/Editor
National Institutes of Health
Office of the Director,
Office of Communications
and Public Liaison
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B38C, MSC 2090
Bethesda, MD 20892-2090
(301) 435-7489

CONTRIBUTORS
Robert Bock, Margaret Georgiann (illustrations), John Peterson and Harrison Wein

The Complexities of Asthma
Genes, Environmental Factors Both Involved
You probably know of at least one child with severe asthma. It's just more common these days. Once considered a minor ailment affecting only a few, asthma is now the most common chronic disorder in childhood, affecting an estimated 6.2 million children under the age of 18. The trend has been particularly disturbing among inner-city children. Research is now uncovering the complex mix of genes and environmental factors that cause the disease.

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Diabetes Widespread in Adults
One-Third Still Don't Know They Have It
In a new analysis of national survey data, researchers found that the prevalence of diabetes in U.S. adults is continuing to rise. And despite efforts to raise awareness of the problem, about a third of adults with diabetes still don't know they have it.

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• Ignore the Pain?
• Good Vision
• Getting Back in Action
• Listen Up!