INTRODUCTION
This free CME activity is based on a symposium taped in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 10, 2006. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

ACAAI designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Persons who attended the symposium are NOT eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit for completing this enduring material. Please note that the course is accredited only for physicians (MD, DO, or equivalent). All other participants receive a certificate of completion.

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with variable expressivity as reflected by its fluctuating status, ranging from optimal achievable control to acute exacerbations. Asthma management remains inadequate despite the availability of highly effective pharmacotherapeutic interventions. The suboptimal management of asthma and lack of adherence to asthma guidelines warrant a focus on ways to overcome barriers to optimal asthma control, especially within some subpopulations at high risk.

Optimal asthma control is not always accomplished, and the degree of control varies along racial/ethnic delineations. Correlation between sociocultural and economic status has been statistically demonstrated. Physiologic differences between ethnic groups have also been identified.