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Asthma hospitalization rates decreased for American Indians, Alaska natives

American Indians and Alaska natives had a greater decrease in hospitalization rates for asthma compared with the general US population, according to recent study results.

Jason M. Mehal, MPH, of the CDC, and colleagues used Indian Health Service (IHS) data to examine the American Indian and Alaska native (AI/AN) population and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to examine the general US population for hospital discharge records with asthma listed as first diagnosis. Average annual number of hospitalizations were determined for the period 2003 to 2011.

There was a 32% decrease in the average annual asthma hospitalization rates for the AI/AN population vs. an 11% decrease for the general US population from 2003-2005 to 2009-2011 (P<.001).

“The average annual age-adjusted rate for 2009-2011 was lower for the AI/AN people (7.6 per 10,000 population) compared with the US population (13.2 per 10,000; 95% CI, 12.8-13.6),” the researchers wrote.

Infants (RR=5.2; 95% CI, 4.2-6.3) and children aged 1 to 4 years (RR=5; 95% CI, 4.5-5.6) had the highest age-specific AI/AN rates. AI/AN hospitalization rates fell in all regions except Alaska.

“Asthma hospitalization rates are decreasing for AI/AN people and the general US population despite increasing prevalence rates,” the researchers concluded. “Although the rates for AI/AN infants and children 1 to 4 years of age have declined substantially, they remain higher compared with other age groups. Improved disease management and awareness should help to further decrease asthma hospitalizations, particularly among young children.”

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.