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Review
. 2009 Apr;9(2):154-60.
doi: 10.1097/aci.0b013e3283292207.

Asthma and ethnic minorities: socioeconomic status and beyond

Erick Forno  1 , Juan C Celedon
Affiliations
Review

Asthma and ethnic minorities: socioeconomic status and beyond

Erick Forno et al. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose of review: We aim to discuss current insights into our understanding of the mechanisms by which socioeconomic status influences the prevalence and severity of asthma in ethnic minorities. In addition, we review potential risk factors for ethnic disparities in asthma that are not mediated by socioeconomic status.

Recent findings: Exposures and factors correlated with ethnicity through socioeconomic status (e.g. indoor and outdoor air quality, smoke exposure, and access to healthcare) are likely to explain a significant proportion of the observed ethnic differences in asthma morbidity. However, other factors correlated with ethnicity (e.g. genetic variation) can impact ethnic disparities in asthma independently of and/or interacting with socioeconomic status-related factors.

Summary: Socioeconomic status is a rough marker of a variety of environmental/behavioral exposures and a very important determinant of differences in asthma prevalence and severity among ethnic minorities in the United States. However, socioeconomic status is unlikely to be the sole explanation for ethnic disparities in asthma, which may also be due to differences in genetic variation and gene-by-environment interactions among ethnic groups.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Underemployment, household income, insurance type, and asthma prevalence in children 0–17 years of age in the United States
Data from: Flores G, Tomany-Korman SC, Pediatrics 2008;121:e286-98[32] 1Percentage of households without a full-time employed adult. 2Percentage of households with combined income below 200% of the federal poverty level. 3Reported asthma prevalence. PI = Pacific Islander. NA = Native American. AA = African American.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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