American Lung Association Report: Asthma Weighs Heavily on Hispanics

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report issued by the American Lung Association shows that Hispanics with asthma are less likely to have the regular medical care, medications, and access to specialists than white non-Hispanics have. "Luchando por el Aire: The Burden of Asthma on Hispanics" is the latest of a series of American Lung Association reports on disparities in the treatment of lung disease in specific communities. A link to the complete report is available at www.LungMN.org.

Nationally, Hispanics represent one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population, and Minnesota is no exception. According to 2010 census data, the number of Minnesotans who identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino grew from 106,876 to 250,258 people, an increase of 74 percent in 10 years.

A bi-annual survey of children with asthma in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul school systems consistently show that all non-Caucasian children, including Hispanics, Native Americans, and African Americans, experience a greater asthma symptom burden than Caucasian students. The symptom burden for these children includes increased nighttime symptoms, daytime symptoms, and functional limitations related to the disease.

Some of the highlights of the report include:

• The prevalence of asthma among Hispanics varies widely by country of origin.  Puerto Ricans have higher rates of the disease than any other racial or ethnic group – twice as high as non-Hispanic whites.
• More than 25 percent of Hispanics lack a regular source of medical care, and when they get sick they are more likely to end up being treated in the emergency department or hospitalized.  
• Although Hispanics are only 16 percent of the U.S. population, they account for nearly one-third of those who do not have health insurance.
• Uncertainty and fear related to immigration status increase stress levels and limit immigrants' willingness to seek needed health services.

The American Lung Association recommends that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to fund asthma programs at the national and state levels, that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) take immediate steps to reduce ozone, mercury and particulate pollution, and that health care systems and providers assess and track patient language and communication needs, and provide access to and reimbursement of interpreter services as needed.

SOURCE American Lung Association in Minnesota