Differences in prevalence, treatment, and outcomes of asthma among a diverse population of children with equal access to care: findings from a study in the military health system.
OBJECTIVE
To assess racial and ethnic differences in asthma prevalence, treatment patterns, and outcomes among a diverse population of children with equal access to health care.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort analysis.


METHODS
The Military Health System.


METHODS
A total of 822 900 children aged 2 through 17 years continuously enrolled throughout 2007 in TRICARE Prime, a health maintenance organization-type benefit provided by the Department of Defense.


METHODS
Prevalence of diagnosed asthma, potentially avoidable asthma hospitalizations, asthma-related emergency department visits, visits to asthma specialists, and use of asthma medications among children aged 2 to 4, 5 to 10, and 11 to 17 years.


RESULTS
Black and Hispanic children in all age groups were significantly more likely to have an asthma diagnosis than white children (ranging from odds ratio [OR]=1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.24; to OR=2.00; 95% CI, 1.93-2.07). Black children in all age groups and Hispanic children aged 5 to 10 years were significantly more likely to have any potentially avoidable asthma hospitalizations and asthma-related emergency department visits (ranging from OR=1.24; 95% CI, 1.11-1.37; to OR=1.99; 95% CI, 1.37-2.88) and were significantly less likely to visit a specialist (ranging from OR=0.71; 95% CI, 0.61-0.82; to OR=0.88; 95% CI, 0.79-0.98) compared with white children. Black children in all age categories were significantly more likely to have filled any prescriptions for inhaled corticosteroids compared with white children (ranging from OR=1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.21; to OR=1.11; 95% CI, 1.04-1.19).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite universal health insurance coverage, we found evidence of racial and ethnic differences in asthma prevalence, treatment, and outcomes.
Stewart
Kate A
KA
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc, 111 E Wacker Dr, Ste 920, Chicago, IL 60601, USA. kstewart@mathematica-mpr.com
Higgins
Patricia C
PC
McLaughlin
Catherine G
CG
Williams
Thomas V
TV
Granger
Elder
E
Croghan
Thomas W
TW
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D044465:White People