Woods, Elizabeth R. Pediatrics, February 20, 2012. Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses for children in the United States, and rates have reached historically high levels nationally with large racial/ethnic health disparities. Preventive efforts to address asthma issues in early childhood have been found to return $1.46 for every dollar invested, by reducing hospital visits. Additionally, there was also a 41percent reduction in missed school days, and a 50 percent reduction in parents missing work due to an ill child.