Asthma and Allergies – Disparities That Can't Be Ignored
Asthma disproportionately affects Black Americans, and the numbers are alarming. According to the CDC:
- Black children are 2.5 times more likely to have asthma than white children
- They are five times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma
- And seven to ten times more likely to die from asthma-related complications
These disparities are rooted in structural racism—Black families are more likely to live near industrial zones or highways where air pollution is higher, and many reside in older housing with mold, pests, and poor ventilation. Access to consistent healthcare and specialist services like allergists or pulmonologists is also more limited in underserved Black communities.
Allergies, too, are underdiagnosed and undertreated in Black children. Food allergies, eczema, and allergic rhinitis are often missed or misdiagnosed, leading to lower quality of life and increased emergency care visits.
AAWP urges providers and policymakers to prioritize education, access, and environmental justice when tackling these disparities. Every child deserves to breathe clean air—and every adult deserves care that listens, responds, and acts.
