Is There a Disparity in the Prevalence of Asthma Between American Indian and White Adults?

Abstract

Background. Though racial disparities in asthma prevalence are well documented, little is known about the burden of asthma in American Indians compared to whites in the United States. Objectives. To compare the prevalence of asthma among American Indian and white adults 18 years of age and older in Montana. Methods. We used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data representative of the Montana population from 2001 to 2006. Results. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, American Indian race was not independently associated with increased asthma prevalence (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.83–1.33). Obesity, lower household income and lower educational attainment, factors disproportionately affecting American Indians in Montana, were independently associated with increased asthma prevalence. Conclusions. Regional and national surveillance is needed to comprehensively document asthma prevalence in American Indians and other underrepresented minorities in the United States.

Keywords:

• asthma
• prevalence
• Indian/North American
• disparity
• epidemiology
• Montana