Online Program

331909
Influenza vaccination rates among Asian, Hispanics, and Blacks in New York City


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Simona Kwon, DrPH, MPH, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Julie Kranick, MA, Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Nadia Islam, PhD, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Chau Trinh-Shevrin, DrPH, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Background:

Influenza is a major cause of illness and death in the US. Influenza and pneumonia together are the third leading cause of death in New York City (NYC). Since 2010, annual influenza vaccination has been universally recommended for everyone ages >six months of age.

Methods:

REACH U.S. Risk Factor Survey data targeting racial/ethnic minority populations in New York City (NYC), from 2009-2012 yielded approximately 4,306 Asian Americans, 2,978 Blacks, and 4,943 Hispanic adults. Unadjusted analyses of having received the influenza vaccine in the past 12 months was run by race/ethnicity, age (18-39, 40-64, and ≥65), household income and health insurance status. 

Results:

Among Asians, 55.4% received an influenza vaccination, followed by 53.1% of Hispanics, and 47.4% of Blacks. Overall, women and older individuals were more likely to have been vaccinated. For older Hispanics (≥65) 70.4%, Blacks (62.6%) and the highest rates were among older Asians (82.9%) but differences reported by Asian subgroup (Chinese (85.1%), Korean (80.2%), and Asian Indians (65.9%)). Generally, less educated individuals reported being vaccinated compared to more educated individuals across racial/ethnic groups. Across all groups, individuals with health insurance had higher rates of vaccination.

Discussion: The national target of 80% for individuals 18-49 and 90% for individuals ≥65 has not been reached among NYC racial/ethnic populations. Variations in vaccination were found by racial/ethnic group, age, and insurance. Findings can help identify subgroups (older Blacks and Asian Indians) for targeted educational and awareness campaigns to maximize limited public health resources and funding and increase citywide vaccination coverage.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe variations in influenza vaccination among racial/ethnic minority populations from an urban setting. Identify socio-demographic level factors that may influence vaccination levels in a racial and ethnically diverse population. Discuss potential public health related strategies to increase vaccination in under-vaccinated subgroups.

Keyword(s): Minority Health, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the director and co-investigator at the NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health and my background is on health disparities research.
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.