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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Greta A. R. Kilmer, MS, Mary E. Patrick, MPH, and Christopher S. Holliday, MPH. Health Assessment and Promotion, DeKalb County Board of Health, 445 Winn Way, Decatur, GA 30030, 404-394-3855, gakilmer@dhr.state.ga.us

The National Health Interview Survey has revealed consistent differences in the prevalence of asthma and asthma attacks between black and white children since 1980. These findings are contrary to national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results which do not show a significant difference in asthma prevalence between races. Our study examined county-level YRBS data to assess whether racial disparities in asthma prevalence were present at a local level. The YRBS was conducted in high schools in DeKalb County, Georgia in 2003 and 2005 (n= 2,146 and 2,384, respectively). Students self-reported lifetime history of asthma and whether they had an episode of asthma or asthma attack in the past 12 months. All summary statistics were weighted. In 2003, black students were significantly more likely than white students to report a lifetime history of asthma (23% and 15%, respectively). The 2005 results show this disparity is not improving as 24% of black students compared to 17% of white students reported lifetime asthma. Differences in the percentages of students reporting current asthma or those having an asthma episode or attack in the past 12 months provide further evidence of this disparity. Our results offer evidence of a significant racial disparity in asthma prevalence between black and white high school students in the county. These findings illustrate how local data sources can be used to identify at-risk populations and supply a platform for discussion of the utility of self-reported asthma items in particular populations. A summary of local intervention strategies will also be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe methods for implementing the Youth Risk Behavior Survey at a local level.
• 2. Identify advantages and disadvantages of using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey for local asthma surveillance.
• 3. Discuss the utility of self-reported asthma items on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire in particular populations.

Keywords: Local Public Health Agencies, Survey

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation