Asthma Risk Is Higher For Certain Ethnicities

Studies published in the February 2006 Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI), the peer-reviewed journal of the AAAAI presents several findings. According to the research, asthma prevalence is highest for Puerto Rican Americans, the next highest prevalence being among Native Americans, then non-Hispanic blacks. Also, asthma mortality for whites has increased from 2.1 deaths per 1,000,000 in the early 1980s to 2.6 deaths per 1,000,000 in the 2000-2001 time period. During the same time period, the mortality rate for African Americans increased from 9.9 to 13.2 deaths per 1,000,000 population.

A survey of Medicaid-insured children with asthma, by Ruchi S. Gupta, MD, MPH, of Northwester University Feinberg School of Medicine, additionally showed that black children had worse asthma status and less use of preventive medication than white children. The same survey showed that fewer black adults also reported receiving asthma self-management education than white adults.

These studies show that not only do African Americans and Puerto Rican Americans have high risk for asthma, but some also have less education about self management. Knowing this, it is important to make sure that every asthma sufferer learn about proper treatment and management of asthma. Check with your doctor to make sure you are up to date on all the latest asthma care options.

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