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Health Disparities

  • Screenshot of the Asthma Equity Database tool showing Texas asthma prevalence and particulate matter ranking

    Asthma Equity Explorer Advances Asthma Research Into Disparities

    Asthma Equity Explorer is a free web-based database for asthma research. See how asthma prevalence in the US can lead to health disparities.

  • kind doctor having a consultation with his patient

    Allergy & Asthma Network Applauds National Academies’ Report to Improve Health Equity

    Allergy & Asthma Network Applauds National Academies’ Report to Improve Health Equity

  • The image shows the White House, a large white mansion with columns. It is surrounded by green lawns, trees, and a central fountain, under a clear blue sky.

    Allergy & Asthma Network Urges Biden, Congress to Prioritize Values-Based Healthcare

    Health groups are urging President Biden, Congress to put healthcare, health inequities and lower drug prices at the center of economic recovery.

  • A smiling couple with glasses pose in front of a yellow background. The woman has her arm around the man's shoulder. The text next to them reads, "Black People Like Me.

    Asthma, Covid-19, Questions We Need Answered: Black People Like Me Virtual Conference Series

    A series to better understand and address the impact of asthma and COVID-19 in the Black community.

  • A healthcare worker wearing a face shield and mask assists a person with a clipboard. The text reads "trusted messengers," presented by several organizations.

    Allergy & Asthma Network Announces National Trusted Messengers Project to Address Health Inequities

    The Trusted Messengers project will address inequities in health exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and improve long-term health outcomes in communities of color.

  • A young girl in a star-patterned coat uses a breathalyzer device. She is surrounded by people, some of whom are holding papers. The setting appears to be indoors at an event or demonstration.

    Allergy & Asthma Network to Host COVID-19, Asthma and COPD Screenings at Atlanta Churches

    September 2020 – Allergy & Asthma Network Will Promote Health Equity by Hosting Free COVID-19, Asthma & COPD Screenings at Atlanta Churches.

  • Two men are standing side by side, separated by a vertical white line. Both are smiling. The man on the left has a beard and wears a light blue shirt against a brown background. The man on the right is clean-shaven, wearing a similar shirt against a yellow background.

    A Tale of Two Asthma Patients: How Social and Economic Factors Impact Asthma

    Learn through the stories of two young men with asthma how social and economic factors influence health and access to medical care.

  • Logo for Allergy & Asthma Network with "Allergy & Asthma" in blue and "NETWORK" in gray. A stylized sun with orange rays is to the right. The design is set on a white background.

    Allergy & Asthma Network Secures PCORI Engagement Award, CDC Grant to Reduce COVID-19 and Asthma Disparities

    Allergy & Asthma Network is working to address COVID-19 and asthma health disparities through a PCORI Engagement Award and CDC Grant.

  • A man in a red sweater helps two young children use plastic devices, possibly breathalyzers, while a woman observes. A laptop is open nearby. The setting appears to be educational or demonstrative.

    ‘Not One More Life’ Makes an Impact on Asthma Disparities in Communities of Color

    Learn about Not One More Life, a program of the Allergy & Asthma Network that brings asthma screenings and education to vulnerable populations in…

  • A smiling elderly couple sits outside on a bench. The man, in a pink shirt, is holding hands with a young child in a red plaid shirt and denim shorts. The woman, in a white top, watches them warmly. The background is a blurred green park scene.

    Black Individuals at Higher Risk for Contracting COVID-19 – New Research

    Learn more about a new study showing that Black individuals were twice as likely as White individuals to test positive for COVID-19.

  • The image shows the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. It features the iconic dome with its detailed architecture, accompanied by stairs and columns in the foreground under a clear sky.

    Allergy & Asthma Network Advocates for People Living with Health Disparities

    Learn about our efforts that bring an end to racial disparities affecting people with asthma, allergies and related conditions.

  • Logo for Allergy & Asthma Network with "Allergy & Asthma" in blue and "NETWORK" in gray. A stylized sun with orange rays is to the right. The design is set on a white background.

    A Statement from Allergy & Asthma Network – Racial Injustice and Health Disparities

    We are distressed and saddened to see the pain of racial injustice in our country … Our mission is rooted in civic and social…

All About

Health Disparities

Asthma and allergies occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, but they are more common in African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities, particularly those living in poor urban areas. Health insurance coverage, income levels, and even where people live contribute to disparities in care. Living in a city with high pollution levels, living in an older building with vermin infesting the home, relying on public transportation, and living with mold can contribute to poor management of asthma and disproportionately affect people along racial and ethnic lines. People of color have higher rates of death from asthma and severe allergies, as well as a higher incidence of emergency department visits and hospital stays. Allergy & Asthma Network is committed to creating and expanding programs to address the imbalance of care for these populations. The Network provides medication assistance programs and bilingual resource guides and addresses health disparities at the federal, state and local level. Advocacy takes many forms, but affordable access to medication, accessible telehealth solutions for those unable to physically see a doctor, accountability from health insurance and pharmaceutical companies, availability of life-saving medications in schools and public places and reduced pollution of air and water are some of the Network’s key legislative issues. Some important help the Network recently received was a CDC grant and a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Engagement Award. The CDC grant will be used to implement national standard-of-care guidelines for asthma patients aimed at reducing ER visits and hospitalizations. The PCORI engagement award will be used for a virtual symposiums that bring together African American patients, as well as doctors, researchers and faith-based leaders to present research and to discuss the opportunities, gaps and barriers in engaging African American patients in patient-centered research. The Network also reaches out to at-risk people and underserved communities through its Not One More Life Trusted Messengers program, a joint public-private partnership and large-scare community project that offers free COVID-19 testing, asthma and COPD screenings and patient education. The current COVID-19 crisis has highlight health disparities, finding that African Americans and Hispanic/Latino populations and Native Americans face significantly higher rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Ongoing disparities in physical health and social determinants of health play a role in the number of cases and deaths. Poverty is a significant issue for many racial and ethnic minorities, so some protective measures against COVID-19 may be less feasible. Many may rely on public transportation, have limited access to healthcare, live in close living quarters and may also work in essential jobs, which may increase risk of exposure to the virus. All of these efforts are the beginning of the Network’s efforts to close the gap in healthcare outcomes along racial lines.

Featured Topics & Toolkits

A digital illustration featuring a series of horizontal lines and shapes in green, orange, and gray tones against a black background. The composition has an abstract, geometric style.
Logo with the text "trusted messengers" in white and yellow, featuring a yellow brushstroke background behind the word "messengers.
Text reading "Asthma Equity Explorer" in bold, white font on a transparent background.

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