Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStatisticsBarriersMisdiagnosisEquitable CareFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Statistics
Barriers
Misdiagnosis
Equitable Care
FAQs
This article is part ofHealth Divide: Asthma in People of Color, a destination in our Health Divide series.
Asthmais a chronic condition that impacts the airways of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. If asthma isn’t diagnosed and treated, it can cause serious and potentially life-threateningcomplications.
While statistics show that people from Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities are more likely to develop asthma, they may also experience unnecessary delays in beingdiagnosedand treated.There are many reasons for these barriers, including issues related to accessing care and medication costs.
This article discusses the many obstacles that people of color often face in receiving a diagnosis and treatment for asthma.
Zoe Hansen / Verywell
Asthma Diagnosis Statistics and Race Disparities
When asthma is diagnosed early, it can be treated properly with medications likeinhaledcorticosteroids, which can lead to better long-term health outcomes. Without a diagnosis, appropriatetreatmentand care can’t be accessed.
Childrenwho receive a delayed asthma diagnosis are much more likely to seek treatment at an urgent care center compared to those who receive a timely diagnosis.
While global scientific research on asthma has traditionally been focused on White populations, some studies, especially more recent ones, have demonstrated the barriers that people of color face inasthma diagnosisand treatment.For example:
What Are Some Barriers to Diagnosis?
People of color in the United States face disparities in access to health care, the quality of care they receive, and outcomes. In general, they’re likely to face longer delays in getting a diagnosis and receive significantly different levels of treatment for various medical conditions compared to White patients.
A variety of socioeconomic, structural, and behavioral factors have been linked to the barriers that people of color face in receiving medical diagnoses.
Access to Care and Health Insurance
Many patients of color may not be able to get an asthma diagnosis because they don’t have access to a healthcare provider orhealth insurance, making it difficult to receive necessary medical care.
Examples of this include:
Research has found many issues related to access to care that serve as major barriers to a timely medical diagnosis.
One study discovered that the lack of a regular healthcare provider or specialist affected asthma treatment options for children of color. It found that, compared to their White peers, Latinx children are more likely to receive urgent asthma care at community health centers, and Black children are more likely to receive asthma care at emergency rooms.
Medication and Testing Costs
Just like other health conditions that require specialty care, the cost ofmanaging asthmais a burden for many families, even those who have health insurance or usepatient assistance programs.
Income inequality disproportionately impacts Black and Latinx communities, particularly those living in urban communities, which affects their ability to afford the copays needed to fill asthma prescription medications.
In addition, transportation and childcare expenses associated with getting to the pharmacy can add up quickly.
To put this into perspective, estimated out-of-pocket costs for Dupixent (dupilumab), a specialty medication sometimes used for moderate to severe asthma, can be as much as $45,600 a year. This cost alone—higher than many annual salaries in the United States—shows the significant financial barriers to getting asthma treatment for patients in low-income households.
Cost of Asthma Care in People of Color
Family/Cultural Dynamics and Knowledge
Culturally competent care—generally defined as the ability of a healthcare provider to meet the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of a patient—can lead to timely diagnoses and better treatment.
Patients of color are likely to have cultural differences from White populations, which healthcare providers should take into consideration before an asthma diagnosis. Some of these dynamics and beliefs include:
Implicit Bias in Healthcare SettingsMany studies have highlighted the implicit biases (unconscious attitudes or behaviors toward a person or group of people) that healthcare providers may show toward patients of color.In doing so, they may present a positive attitude toward White patients and a negative or skeptical attitude toward people of color. Too often, placing emphasis on a patient’s race or ethnicity in medical decision-making leads to diagnosis delays and a lack of appropriate treatment for people of color.
Implicit Bias in Healthcare Settings
Many studies have highlighted the implicit biases (unconscious attitudes or behaviors toward a person or group of people) that healthcare providers may show toward patients of color.In doing so, they may present a positive attitude toward White patients and a negative or skeptical attitude toward people of color. Too often, placing emphasis on a patient’s race or ethnicity in medical decision-making leads to diagnosis delays and a lack of appropriate treatment for people of color.
Many studies have highlighted the implicit biases (unconscious attitudes or behaviors toward a person or group of people) that healthcare providers may show toward patients of color.
In doing so, they may present a positive attitude toward White patients and a negative or skeptical attitude toward people of color. Too often, placing emphasis on a patient’s race or ethnicity in medical decision-making leads to diagnosis delays and a lack of appropriate treatment for people of color.
Risks of Misdiagnosis
If left untreated or misdiagnosed, asthma can lead toserious health complicationsand a higher risk of hospitalization. Some of these risks include:
If asthma is severe and has not been diagnosed or properly treated, anattackcan lead torespiratory failure(when your lungs can’t get enough oxygen into your bloodstream),which can be fatal.
What Is Severe Asthma?
Equitable Care for People With Asthma
Equitable care means that a person’s racial or ethnic background, socioeconomic status, or other circumstances do not impact their chances of attaining high quality health care and health outcomes.
Where to Go
When looking for assistance with asthma care, start with your local health department or trusted community health organization. They should be equipped to provide you with a referral for accessible care.
Next, remember that healthcare providers (whether or not they provide direct care for asthma) are there to help you manage your asthma and overall health. It’s worth asking if the office or healthcare system has additional staff dedicated to helping you better understand your asthma treatment plan or answering questions like how to best use your asthma medications.
Resources for Asthma CareFor additional asthma care options, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an online resource listing state and local asthma resources and providers.
Resources for Asthma Care
For additional asthma care options, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an online resource listing state and local asthma resources and providers.
Financial Assistance
Asthma medicationsand care can be very expensive, even if you have health insurance. Healthcare providers are well aware of this, so you shouldn’t feel shy about informing them if you can’t pay for drugs or care. Your providerwantsyou to take your medication so that you feel better, and they may know of a program or contact to help assist you with the cost.
Some financial assistance options include:
Prescription Assistance ProgramsDon’t be afraid to ask your healthcare provider’s office for information about these assistance programs for some of the asthma drugs they routinely prescribe. Expect to fill out an application that will be submitted to the drug manufacturer for coverage approval.
Prescription Assistance Programs
Don’t be afraid to ask your healthcare provider’s office for information about these assistance programs for some of the asthma drugs they routinely prescribe. Expect to fill out an application that will be submitted to the drug manufacturer for coverage approval.
Advocacy and Outreach Programs
Getting help when you need it is important for managing asthma, whether that assistance is via friends, family, or a healthcare team. But not everyone has direct access to that support. Fortunately, there are nationwide organizations that exist to support people with asthma, inclusive of people from all backgrounds and communities.
To start, you may be interested in looking into the following groups:
Nonemergency Asthma Assistance
Bridging the Gap to Care After I Lost My Son to Asthma
Summary
People of color face multiple barriers in receiving an asthma diagnosis and treatment when compared to White populations. For people of color, the likelihood of visiting an emergency room for an asthma episode and experiencing severe or fatal complications from asthma is much higher than it is in White patients, partly due to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.
Research shows that factors like a lack of accessible medical care, disparities in health insurance, high medication costs, and familial or cultural dynamics play a role in creating obstacles to asthma diagnosis and treatment.
A Word From Verywell
Dealing with a chronic health condition like asthma is stressful, especially when there are unnecessary barriers to receiving a diagnosis. While getting a diagnosis for yourself or a family member is just the first step, it’s an essential part of the process. Don’t be afraid to lean on an extended support network of friends, family, community members, and support groups for extra encouragement along the way.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAsthma disproportionately affects low-income populations. Research has shown that low-income environments are linked to the development of asthma due to exposures to pollution, allergens, and chronic stress.Black, Latinx, and other children living in households near the federal poverty level have twice therisk of developing asthma, higher hospitalization and emergency room visits, and more deaths linked to asthma compared to their White counterparts.Exposure to pollution that is common in cities is linked to a greater risk of asthma. While you may not be able to control what’s happening externally, experts suggest reducing indoor allergens at home, as triggers like tobacco smoke, dust mites, cockroaches, and pet dander can aggravate asthma.If accessible to you, try to vacuum regularly, keep surfaces clean, close windows and doors when possible, and reduce moisture in the bathroom and kitchen areas.Learn MoreHow to Detect an Allergen and Remove it From Your HomeIt’s possible for people to develop asthma in childhood and then grow out of it after several years. Keep in mind, though, that symptoms can come back at any time. Always check with a healthcare provider before stopping or making changes to an asthma medication plan.First, tell your healthcare provider or another trusted source who can help communicate this to the provider’s office for you. They’ll be able to refer you to prescription assistance programs that offer asthma drugs free of charge or highly discounted for lower-income patients. You might also be able to access discounts through pharmacy or prescription savings programs such as Good RX or Blink Health.Learn MorePrescription Assistance Programs for Asthma Medications
Frequently Asked Questions
Asthma disproportionately affects low-income populations. Research has shown that low-income environments are linked to the development of asthma due to exposures to pollution, allergens, and chronic stress.Black, Latinx, and other children living in households near the federal poverty level have twice therisk of developing asthma, higher hospitalization and emergency room visits, and more deaths linked to asthma compared to their White counterparts.
Asthma disproportionately affects low-income populations. Research has shown that low-income environments are linked to the development of asthma due to exposures to pollution, allergens, and chronic stress.
Black, Latinx, and other children living in households near the federal poverty level have twice therisk of developing asthma, higher hospitalization and emergency room visits, and more deaths linked to asthma compared to their White counterparts.
Exposure to pollution that is common in cities is linked to a greater risk of asthma. While you may not be able to control what’s happening externally, experts suggest reducing indoor allergens at home, as triggers like tobacco smoke, dust mites, cockroaches, and pet dander can aggravate asthma.If accessible to you, try to vacuum regularly, keep surfaces clean, close windows and doors when possible, and reduce moisture in the bathroom and kitchen areas.Learn MoreHow to Detect an Allergen and Remove it From Your Home
Exposure to pollution that is common in cities is linked to a greater risk of asthma. While you may not be able to control what’s happening externally, experts suggest reducing indoor allergens at home, as triggers like tobacco smoke, dust mites, cockroaches, and pet dander can aggravate asthma.If accessible to you, try to vacuum regularly, keep surfaces clean, close windows and doors when possible, and reduce moisture in the bathroom and kitchen areas.
Exposure to pollution that is common in cities is linked to a greater risk of asthma. While you may not be able to control what’s happening externally, experts suggest reducing indoor allergens at home, as triggers like tobacco smoke, dust mites, cockroaches, and pet dander can aggravate asthma.
If accessible to you, try to vacuum regularly, keep surfaces clean, close windows and doors when possible, and reduce moisture in the bathroom and kitchen areas.
Learn MoreHow to Detect an Allergen and Remove it From Your Home
It’s possible for people to develop asthma in childhood and then grow out of it after several years. Keep in mind, though, that symptoms can come back at any time. Always check with a healthcare provider before stopping or making changes to an asthma medication plan.
First, tell your healthcare provider or another trusted source who can help communicate this to the provider’s office for you. They’ll be able to refer you to prescription assistance programs that offer asthma drugs free of charge or highly discounted for lower-income patients. You might also be able to access discounts through pharmacy or prescription savings programs such as Good RX or Blink Health.Learn MorePrescription Assistance Programs for Asthma Medications
First, tell your healthcare provider or another trusted source who can help communicate this to the provider’s office for you. They’ll be able to refer you to prescription assistance programs that offer asthma drugs free of charge or highly discounted for lower-income patients. You might also be able to access discounts through pharmacy or prescription savings programs such as Good RX or Blink Health.
Learn MorePrescription Assistance Programs for Asthma Medications
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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