One out of every six U.S. high school students suffers from asthma and more than one-third of those report having an attack in the previous year, according to a federal study released on Thursday, that suggests schools do more to manage the potentially fatal lung disease.

In 2003, an estimated 16.1 percent of those enrolled in grades 9 through 12 said they were suffering from the disease, according to a survey of more than 13,000 students by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Teen smoking and exposure to diesel fuel from school buses also may contribute to attacks in classrooms.

"Schools can help improve asthma management among students whose asthma is not well-controlled by providing health services, education and control of environmental triggers," the CDCP says in a weekly health report.