Information for Patients
Disparities in Healthcare Research
Conducting research with a diverse patient population is important as it reflects the broad population and helps identify issues that may affect certain patients differently than others. Between 1993 and 2013, the inclusion of racial or ethnic minorities was reported in less than 5% of research on respiratory diseases. This has had an impact on disparities in care.
The Importance of Health Equity
Health equity aims to ensure all people have full and equal access to care so they can lead healthy lives. Health can be affected by lack of quality and affordable healthcare, stable income and job security, food security, education and health literacy, presence of air pollution, discrimination and neighborhood conditions.
COVID-19 Disparities
Nearly 90% of those hospitalized with COVID-19 report underlying medical conditions, including hypertension, obesity, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and heart disease. Many of the conditions disproportionately affect African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos and Native Americans or Alaskan Natives.
Asthma and COVID-19 Severity
People with asthma are not believed to be at higher risk of getting infected with COVID-19 — but if you do get infected you may be at higher risk of getting very sick. COVID-19 can affect your respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs), cause an asthma attack and possibly lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease.
ATS Patient Information Series
The ATS Patient Information Series is a public service of the American Thoracic Society and its journal the AJRCCM (www.atsjournals.org). The information appearing in this series is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice of one's personal health care provider.
Asthma and Exercise for Children and Adults
