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Review
. 2023 Apr 1;23(2):144-150.
doi: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000872. Epub 2022 Dec 27.

Social determinants of health and asthma

Andre E Espaillat  1 , Michelle L Hernandez  2   3 , Allison J Burbank  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Social determinants of health and asthma

Andre E Espaillat et al. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Social determinants of health play a major role in healthcare utilization and outcomes in patients with asthma. Continuing to understand how these complex and interwoven relationships interact to impact patient care will be crucial to creating innovative programmes that address these disparities.

Recent findings: The current literature continues to support the association of substandard housing, urban and rural neighbourhoods, and race/ethnicity with poor asthma outcomes. Targeted interventions with community health workers (CHWs), telemedicine and local environmental rectifications can help improve outcomes.

Summary: The link between social determinants and poor asthma outcomes continues to be supported by recent literature. These factors are both nonmodifiable and consequences of institutionalized racist policies that require innovative ideas, technologic equity and funding for groups most at risk for poorer outcomes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Impact of Exacerbators and Interventions for Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) on Asthma Outcomes. Promising interventions are not able to tilt the scale until poverty and structural racism are addressed at a societal level.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Social Determinants of Health | CDC; [Internet]. 2021. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/index.htm
    1. Social determinants of health [Internet [Internet]. Sep 28. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health
    1. Most Recent National Asthma Data | CDC; [Internet]. 2022. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/most_recent_national_asthma_data.htm

    1. Grant T, Croce E, Matsui EC. Asthma and the social determinants of health. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022;Jan;128(1):5–11.

      **This comprehensive review highlights the importance of social determinants of health and their impact on asthma.

    1. Fallacies of racism exposed: UNESCO publishes Declaration by world’s scientists - UNESCO Digital Library [Internet [Internet]. Available from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000081475.nameddest=81475

Publication types