Detroit has been named the most challenging city in the U.S. for asthma sufferers, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2025 Asthma Capitals report. The city’s high asthma prevalence, emergency room visits, and asthma-related deaths pushed it to the top of the list, reclaiming the number one spot after ranking third in 2024.
“Detroit earned the top spot… due to its higher-than-average asthma prevalence and higher-than-average asthma death rate,” said Hannah Jaffee, AAFA’s research director. Air pollution from vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, combined with poverty and limited access to care, are driving factors.
From 2017 to 2019, 16.2% of Detroit adults had asthma, compared to 11.1% statewide. Children in Detroit were nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized for asthma, and Black Detroiters faced more than triple the hospitalization rate of white residents. “Climate change undeniably impacts all of us,” said Melanie Carver of AAFA, “but policymakers should note the conditions that foster the worst asthma outcomes: structural racism, high exposure to air pollution, and inadequate health care.”
Dr. Garen Wolff, a local allergist, noted worsening seasonal allergies and wildfire smoke as key contributors. “These factors are driving more people to the ER with asthma flare-ups,” she said.
While asthma is manageable with consistent care, experts stress that without systemic environmental and healthcare reforms, Detroit’s asthma crisis will persist.
See: “Detroit named toughest city for asthma sufferers in new report” (September 9, 2025)
