The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68271

Helen Margellos, MPH¹, Ami M. Shah, MPH¹, Steven Whitman, PhD¹, and Cynthia L. Williams, MS². (1) Sinai Health System, Sinai Urban Health Institute, California at 15th Street, K439, Chicago, IL 60608, 773-257-5259, marhe@sinai.org, (2) Sinai Health System, Sinai Community Institute, 2653 W. Ogden, Chicago, IL 60608

Asthma affects about 5 million children in the U.S. National data indicate that racial/ethnic disparities exist in the prevalence of asthma, which is higher for non-Hispanic Black (NHB) children (6.8%) than for non-Hispanic White (NHW) (5.2%) or Hispanic (4.7%) children. Studies have suggested that such disparities are indicative of social and environmental determinants of asthma, including access to quality primary health care. However, the small area data needed to test such hypotheses are rarely available. Chicago’s asthma morbidity and mortality are amongst the highest in the nation, making it an ideal setting to test such hypotheses.

A comprehensive health survey was implemented face-to-face in six racially/ethnically diverse community areas in Chicago. One goal was to fill this gap in community level knowledge of asthma. Data were collected about adults and children (<12yrs) from 1700 randomly selected households.

Preliminary data reveal an association between race/ethnicity and asthma attack prevalence: 8.0% in predominantly NHB communities, compared to 6.7% in NHW and 2.9% in Hispanic communities. These rates for NHB and NHW communities are elevated over national estimates. When potentially undiagnosed asthma was considered, the potential prevalence of asthma reached 24.1% in NHB communities, suggesting the true prevalence of asthma may be significantly higher than current data suggests.

Our presentation will examine the demographic and SES correlates of asthma-related rates among children with asthma from these six communities. We will further explore racial/ethnic disparities in asthma prevalence, health resource utilization, management/control, and medication use.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants in this session will be able to:
• Summarize the current state of knowledge regarding racial and ethnic disparities in asthma prevalence, associated health resource utilization, and management/control in children;
• Recognize the need for community level data to determine the underlying cause of such disparities; and
• Understand the importance of applying the social and environmental context of health in developing effective interventions and improved policies for combating asthma in minority communities.

Keywords: Asthma, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.