Disparity In Urban Communities

In Connecticut’s urban areas, ethnic-minority groups mortality and morbidity profiles demonstrate the disparity in outcomes primarily for Black and Hispanics residents. Black Americans have a death rate 1.2 times greater than white non-Hispanics. There is a higher rate of chronic illnesses in both ethnic groups including: heart disease, hypertension, and cancer. The incidence of respiratory disease and asthma for both children and adults was significantly higher Connecticut’s urban communities, with higher prevalence in the Hispanic population (Nepaul, Peng, Kloter, Hewes, & Boulay, 2012). In the United States, 16.4 million adults and 7.0 million children have asthma. Poorly controlled asthma is responsible for an estimated $56 million dollars in healthcare spending annually (HHS,
In Connecticut, there are 400,000 adults and children that are diagnosed with asthma. Children with asthma outnumber adults, suggesting a rise in childhood asthma. Children have 4% more emergency room (ED) visits than adults for exacerbation of asthma symptoms. There are strong correlations between living in an urban area, under the poverty level, and having the diagnosis of asthma. There is also a disproportionate number of Hispanics who have been diagnosed with asthma and have ED visits. Hispanics are five times more likely to have uncontrolled asthma symptoms and go to the ED in Connecticut (Leong, Ramsey, & Celedon, 2012). Factors that contribute to the exacerbation of asthma symptoms include lack of understanding, insurance, money for medications, lack of access to healthcare, air quality, and living conditions. There is also a genetic correlation for an asthma diagnosis for Hispanics of Puerto Rican heritage. Asthma is 14% more prevalent in this cohort of patients, and they are less responsive to asthma medications (Rose, Mannino, &