142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Home Events & Meetings Annual Meeting Schedule & Program

Online Program

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

315240
Environment-Anthropomorphic Interaction and Racial Disparities in Pediatric Asthma: Decomposition Analysis Using National Survey of Children's Health

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 : 5:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Laurens Holmes Jr., MD, DrPH , Office of Health Equity & Inclusion, Nemours Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE
Grace Kalmus, Student Researcher , Public Health Department, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
Kristen Juhrden, Student Researcher , DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
Pat Oceanic , Office of Health Equity and Inclusion, Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
Alexandra LaHurd, Research Assistant , Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Kirk Dabney , Office of Health Equity and Inclusion, Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Introduction: Racial/ethnic minorities tend to bear disproportionately the burden of asthma.  We aimed in this study to assess the interaction between environment and anthropomorphic measures in the relationship between asthma prevalence and race/ethnicity. 

Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data of children 0-18 from the National Survey of Children’s Health 2012.  We examined race/ethnicity, asthma prevalence, anthropomorphic measures, income, insurance, and environment.

Results: There were 68,736 (73.8%) whites, 9,493 (10.2%) blacks, and 14,886 (16%) others.  Overall, the prevalence of asthma was 8.6%.  The prevalence of asthma was higher among blacks, 1,540 (16.2%), relative to whites, 5,155 (7.5%), Χ2 (8) =893.7, p<0.001.  Likewise, asthma severity was higher in blacks, 508 (5.4%) compared to whites, 1,204 (1.8%), Χ2 (6) =910.8 p<0.001.  Relative to girls, 3,509 (7.6%), asthma was more prevalent in boys, 4,711 (9.6%).  Blacks, 1,725 (18.2%) were more likely to live in a dilapidated housing environment compared to whites, 10,529 (15.3%), Χ2 (6) =170.1, p<0.001.  Similarly, blacks, 21,430 (22.6%) were more likely to be associated with a litter or garbage environment compared to whites, 8,682 (12.6%) Χ2 (6) =1,000, p<0.001.  Blacks, 1,047 (24.0%) were more likely to be obese/overweight compared to whites, 4,064 (12.5%), and other, 1,009 (17.0%) Χ2 (6) =631.3, p<0.001.  After adjustment (BMI and environment), higher asthma prevalence among blacks compared to whites (AOR=1.80, 99% CI 1.60-2.02, p<0.001) and others (AOR=1.15, 99% CI 1.02-1.30, p<0.001) was observed.

Discussion/Conclusion: Environmental factors and obesity significantly contribute to asthma incidence and severity.  Racial/ethnic prevalence in asthma is influenced by these factors.

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology

Learning Objectives:
Assess the interaction between environment and anthropomorphic measures in the relationship between asthma prevalence and race/ethnicity

Keyword(s): Asthma, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I'm well trained in internal medicine and public health specifically epidemiology and biostatistics. Currently, I'm a professor of Molecular Epidemiology at the University of Delaware. I conceptualized the study, facilitated data collection, analyzed the data, interpreted the results, and addressed the discussion and conclusion. Very importantly, I directed the preparation of the manuscript, which is on its final phase for submission for concentration for publication by a reputable peer review scientific journal.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4419.0: Topics in Social and Health Disparities