Cailin Conner

Urban Health Today

The Hispanic and Latino (HL) ethnicity can be described as a set of racially and culturally diverse subgroups. According to the current asthma demographics, as published by the <a href="https://www.lung.org/research/trends-in-lung-disease/asthma-trends-brief/current-demographics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American Lung Association</a>, the overall rates of asthma in Hispanic individuals is relatively low at 6.4%. However, it is also noted that the rates of asthma vary significantly among Hispanic subgroups. For example, it is estimated that Puerto Ricans in the continental US have the highest rates of asthma compared with any other racial or ethnic group.A study, published in the <a href="https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(22)00885-5/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Journal of Asthma and Clinical Immunology</a>, &ldquo;sought to determine whether disparities in asthma morbidity exist among HL adult subgroups.&rdquo;Researchers collected data from adults with moderate-severe asthma from US clinics, including Puerto Rico. The study population was comprised of 457 individuals with Caribbean HL (Puerto Rican or Cuban and Dominican heritage) in addition to 141 individuals with Other HLs (Mexican, Spanish, or Central/South American heritage). Researchers also conducted a subgroup analysis between Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican individuals.Baseline characteristics and asthma morbidity measures (exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids, emergency department/urgent care [ED/UC] visits, hospitalizations, and health care utilization) were then compared between groups.When comparing groups, age, BMI, poverty status, blood eosinophils, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels were similar between Caribbean HL and Other HL cohorts., However, the Caribbean HL cohort was prescribed more asthma controller therapies. The Caribbean HL cohort had significantly increased odds of asthma exacerbations, ED/UC visits, hospitalization, and health care utilization.Subgroup analysis revealed that Puerto Rican individuals had a significantly increased likelihood of asthma exacerbations, ED/UC visits, hospitalizations, and health care utilization when compared with those in the Other HL cohort. Those with Cuban and Dominican heritage only had increased odds of exacerbations compared to the Other HL group. When comparing Puerto Rican with Cuban and Dominican individuals, Puerto Ricans had greater odds of ED/UC and health care utilization.&ldquo;Caribbean HL adults, compared with Other HL, adults reported nearly twice the asthma morbidity; these differences are primarily driven by Puerto Rico. Novel interventions are needed to reduce morbidity in this highly impacted population,&rdquo; the authors of the study wrote.Source: <a href="https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(22)00885-5/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Journal of Asthma and Clinical Immunology</a>

Rebecca Araujo

Breast, Colorectal Cancer Care During Hurricane Maria: Patient Perspectives

Breast Cancer Disparities

Lou Portero

"Elderspeak" in Dementia Care: How Baby Talk to Older Adults Can Increase Resistance

Alzheimer's & Dementia

Women with Autoimmune Conditions Face Double the Risk of Heart Disease Death Compared to Men

Autoimmune Disease in Women

Latest News

Caribbean Latino Adults With Moderate-Severe Asthma Reported Nearly Twice the Asthma Morbidity Than Other Latino Adults

Asthma

A study found that Caribbean Hispanic and Latinx adults reported nearly twice the asthma morbidity.

Caribbean Latinx Adults With Moderate-Severe Asthma Reported Nearly Twice the Asthma Morbidity Than 

About Us

Editorial Policy

Contributors & Partners

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Work With Us

Advertising

Career Center

GU Oncology Now

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

DocWire News

MashupMD

Food Allergy Roundtable Discussions

Allergy

Blood Cancers

— Multiple Myeloma

Breast Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Cancer

Diabetes

Gastroenterology

Heart Failure

Heart Disease Prevention

Heart Health

— Alzheimer’s Disease

Neurology

Public Health

Autoimmune Disease

Infectious Diseases

Obesity

Pediatrics

Sickle Cell Disease

Digital Health

Dermatology

Pulmonology

Video Insights

Workforce News

More

Gynecologic Cancer

Heart Disease in Women

Menopause

Reproductive Health

Women’s Neurology

Well Woman Today

Roundtables

Podcasts

Conferences

Viewpoints

Subscribe