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Epidemiology of Current Asthma in Children Under 18: A Two-Decade Overview Using National Center for Health
Rhoda O Ojo1, Okelue E Okobi2,3,4, Patra C Ezeamii5
1Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA.
Insights
Childhood asthma prevalence in the U.S. shows significant disparities. Black children, males, and those with Medicaid or low income experience higher rates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Current asthma affects a significant portion of children under 18 in the United States.
- Understanding temporal trends and demographic disparities in childhood asthma is crucial for effective public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze two decades of current asthma prevalence in U.S. children.
- To identify trends and disparities by gender, age, insurance, poverty, and race/ethnicity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data from 2003-2019.
- Calculated age-adjusted prevalence rates, stratified by key demographic and socioeconomic factors.
Main Results:
- Overall childhood asthma prevalence fluctuated, increasing from 2003-2009 then decreasing by 2019.
- Males, older children (10-17), children with Medicaid, those below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and Black children exhibited significantly higher prevalence rates.
- Prevalence varied by insurance status and race/ethnicity, with uninsured and Asian children showing lower rates.
Conclusions:
- Significant, persistent disparities in childhood asthma prevalence exist across various demographic groups.
- Targeted interventions are essential to address inequities in asthma management and prevention.
- Findings underscore the need for tailored public health approaches to mitigate asthma burden in vulnerable child populations.
Objective:
This study conducted a comprehensive two-decade analysis of current asthma among children under 18 in the United States using National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data. The primary objective was to assess the prevalence of current asthma, evaluate temporal trends, and identify disparities based on gender, age, insurance status, household poverty levels, and race/ethnicity.
Methods:
Data spanning 2003-2019 from NCHS were analyzed, focusing on current asthma prevalence among children under 18. Age-adjusted prevalence rates were calculated and stratified by various factors, including gender, age groups, health insurance status, poverty levels, and race/ethnicity.
Results:
The study revealed substantial disparities in current asthma prevalence. Over the two-decade period, the overall prevalence of current asthma fluctuated. It increased from 2003 (8.5%) to 2009 (9.6%) and then decreased by 2019 (7.0%). Gender disparities were evident, with males (9.9%) consistently reporting a higher prevalence than females (7.5%). Older children aged between 10-17 years (10.4%) consistently had a higher prevalence of asthma than younger children aged 0-4 (5.3%) and 5-9 years (9.5%). Children with Medicaid insurance (11.2%) had the highest prevalence, followed by insured (8.9%), privately insured (7.7%), and uninsured children (6.1%). Children living below the federal poverty level (FPL) consistently reported the highest prevalence (11.3%), while children above 400% of the FPL (7.1%) had the lowest prevalence. Racial disparities were observed, with Black children (14.3%) having higher asthma prevalence, followed by White (7.6%) and Asian children (5.4%).
Conclusion:
The study highlights significant disparities in current asthma prevalence over the two-decade period analyzed. While the overall prevalence showed fluctuations, it generally increased from 2003 to 2009 and then decreased by 2019. Gender disparities were evident, with males consistently reporting a higher prevalence compared to females. Older children in the 10-17 age group consistently had a higher asthma prevalence than younger age groups. Moreover, disparities based on insurance status and income levels were also apparent, with children on Medicaid and those living below the FPL reporting higher asthma prevalence. Racial disparities were observed, with Black children having the highest prevalence, followed by White and Asian children. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing these disparities and tailoring interventions to improve asthma management and prevention across different demographic groups.
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