Detroit Tops U.S. Asthma Rankings Amid Pollution, Health Access, and Climate Challenges

Detroit now ranks as the most challenging U.S. city for residents with asthma, according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. Approximately 95,000 residents—about 15% of the city’s population—live with the chronic respiratory condition. Experts attribute the high prevalence to industrial pollution, vehicle emissions, limited access to health care, and worsening environmental factors such as wildfire smoke from Canada. Climate change exacerbates asthma by increasing ground-level pollutants, extending allergy seasons, and intensifying extreme weather events. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected: over 20% of residents with disabilities, nearly 32% of those below the poverty line, and more than 75% of Black residents have asthma. Meanwhile, federal rollbacks of air pollution protections, including the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the “Good Neighbor Plan,” increase local health risks. Despite these challenges, Detroit has implemented programs through its health department and community collaborations to improve access to care and reduce environmental triggers, though advocates emphasize that more work is urgently needed.

06-10-2025