The purpose of the present study was to examine relations among income, smoking status, body
mass index, and asthma on quality of life outcomes in individuals surveyed as part of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Income level modified the relationship between asthma and mental health, activity limitation and
general health. Specifically, persons of low income with asthma reported more days of poor
mental health, more days of activity limitation and worse general health. Smoking status
modified the relationship between asthma and mental health, physical health and general health.
Current smokers with asthma reported more days of poor mental health, more days of poor
physical health), and worse general health. Body mass index modified the relationship between
asthma and mental health and activity limitation. Obese persons with asthma reported more days
of poor mental health and more days of activity limitation. The results of this study highlight
how factors that worsen asthma modify the relationship between asthma and quality of life
outcomes.