Millions of kids in Africa are likely suffering from asthma without getting treatment

It's considered a silent epidemic, and it's sweeping countries in Africa. Researchers have found that millions of kids across the continent are likely suffering from asthma without receiving any treatment. 

A study shows that one in eight children in several African countries have asthma, and the vast majority are undiagnosed and therefore untreated.

Tesfaye Mersha, PhD, studies asthma at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He recently spoke to NPR's global health correspondent Fatma Tanis.

Mersha said the disease has been a growing issue in Africa during the last three decades, and it's linked to climate change and lifestyle changes, such as more people living in cities, breathing in dust and polluted air. But some of the population still lives in much more isolated regions.

"People live in a very remote area. There's no access to health care facility. So I think the problem in Africa is unique than in the western countries because the infrastructure is also very limited," said Mersha.

He said more studies need to be conducted in Africa to come up with solutions.

Listen to the full report that was heard on NPR's All Things Considered.

Featured image at top: A group of children smiling in eastern Africa. Photo/istock/Bartosz Hadyniak.