Over the past 15 years, there have been moderate advances in U.S. public policy, health care and research, but racial gaps in asthma outcomes have not changed. Minority groups continue to bear disproportionate hardship in managing asthma.<\/p>\n
The report reviews the current state of asthma disparities and serves as a national call to action to fix the social inequities caused by structural racism that continue to plague vulnerable, at-risk patients and families with asthma.<\/p>\n
AAFA remains committed to taking bold actions to facilitate significant improvement and building collaboration with federal, state and non-governmental entities and individuals who share the similar goal to save lives and reduce the harm and unequal burden of asthma on underserved groups.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” admin_label=”Accordions” module_class=”accord” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” border_width_all=”0px” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed Accordion” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”display:none;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What Is a %22Disparity%22?” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
If a health condition, like asthma, affects one group of people differently than another group, there is a \u201chealth disparity.\u201d1<\/sup> Health disparities exist based on factors such as race, ethnicity, age, sex, geography, disability and citizenship status. Vulnerable populations may include low-income individuals, women, children, older adults and individuals in rural and tribal areas. These populations are not mutually exclusive.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Facts About Disparities in Asthma” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n In asthma, significant differences exist based on race and ethnicity. Black, Hispanic and Indigenous people in the U.S. are disproportionately burdened by asthma. These differences are not new.<\/p>\n Infographics Highlighting the Burden of Asthma on Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous Americans<\/strong><\/p>\n Click on each image for a full-size graphic.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What Causes Differences in Asthma?” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Racial and ethnic disparities in asthma are caused by complex factors, including:<\/p>\n Social determinants and structural inequities largely drive disparities in asthma. Factors such as genetics and individual behaviors contribute less to asthma disparities.<\/p>\n AAFA developed the following conceptual framework for root causes of asthma disparities, adapted from several existing models, including the World Health Organization\u2019s Conceptual Framework for Action on the Social Determinants of Health and Healthy People 2020\u2019s \u201cplace-based\u201d organizing framework. AAFA\u2019s model specifically highlights the overwhelming role of race and ethnicity in amplifying social, structural, and individual stressors. [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Working Together to Reduce Asthma Disparities” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Equity in asthma is only possible if all partners work together toward the goal of reducing disparities. Partners include patients\/families, health care professionals, researchers, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, educators, schools, community leaders, government agencies, health care systems, health care payers, employers, national and local associations, funders, advocates, policymakers\/legislators and the media.<\/p>\n Each group brings a unique perspective. Together, we can build effective programs\/interventions that improve asthma outcomes, conduct critical research to advance science and knowledge, and support policies that promote health equity.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Strategies to Improve Asthma Health in Underserved Populations” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Experts have recognized differences in asthma for many years. Recently, the focus has shifted from describing this problem to finding solutions for it. There is no single, specific solution to the problem of disparities. Solutions must be holistic and target the complex factors that lead to increased burden on racial and ethnic minority populations.<\/p>\n Emerging approaches toward effective, sustainable and scalable solutions include:<\/p>\n AAFA\u2019s Asthma Disparities in America report identifies 69 strategies to address disparities. Because a holistic approach is necessary, some strategies focus on reducing health disparities overall and are not specific to asthma. For the same reason, some strategies focus on improving asthma care overall and are not specific to racial and ethnic disparities.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/asthma-disparities-quick-facts-infographic-1-1024x683.png\")
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