Overcoming Asthmatic Disparity

Introduction

Asthma is chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by recurring episodes of wheeling and breathlessness. It often exists with allergies and can be worsened through exposure to allergens. In fact, asthma is complicated syndromes that have neither single definition nor complete explanation to the point. In light of its treatment, it is worthwhile to notice that asthma cannot be cured, instead can be only managed by avoiding exposure to allergens and/or by using medications regularly.

Asthma is also a serious public health issue because it imposes huge impact not only population but also health care systems. According to recent statistics, each year, 5000 deaths, half million hospitalizations, and two million emergency visits are solely explained by asthma [1]. It is also leading cause of absence from school and work. Economic impact is enormous, too. 11 billion dollars of cost was due to only medications of asthma in 1994 [2], which was later increased up to 14 billion dollars in 2002 [3], and still increasing. Unfortunately, this financial burden of asthma falls disproportionately to some vulnerable subgroups: minorities, and children.

The purposes of this paper are 1) to identify the disparity of asthmatic burden for racial minorities, especially for minority children, 2) to analyze determinants that cause the disparity, and 3) to propose available policy options to overcome the disparity.

Disparity of asthmatic burden

Asthmatic burden can be defined in various ways. In this paper, prevalence of asthma, mortality due to asthma, and rates of health care use from asthma are used as primary dimensions of the asthmatic burden.

Prevalence did not show much disparity among black, Hispanic, and white pe...

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