HHS HealthBeat (November 30, 2007)

Unequal asthma

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the lungs and breathing --  but it doesn’t affect everyone equally. 

The director of HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Dr. Carolyn Clancy, says her agency has found that black and Hispanic children are more likely to be hospitalized for asthma. And black children are more likely to die from this condition.

Why is this?

Clancy says minorities who live in cities may be more exposed to poor air quality or allergic triggers such as cockroaches – and they often have less access to quality health care.

But she says:

“Hispanic children are 63 percent more likely than white children to be hospitalized for asthma. Blacks are three times as likely to be hospitalized for asthma and twice as likely to die from asthma as are whites.’’ (12 seconds)

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May, 26 2008