Volume 19 Issue 3 September 2010Review
The impact of ethnicity on asthma care
Pages 202-208
Emma Davidsona, Jing Jing Liub, *Aziz Sheikhc
a
Research Fellow, Allergy & Respiratory Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences: GP Section, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
b
Research Associate, Allergy & Respiratory Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences: GP Section, The University of Edinburgh
c
Professor of Primary Care Research & Development, Allergy & Respiratory Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences: GP Section, University of Edinburgh
Received 4 February 2010 • Accepted 4 February 2010 • Online 27 April 2010
Abstract
Asthma is a significant global health problem. Asthma prevalence, its related health outcomes, and associated healthcare utilisation, vary
by population group both across and within nations. Evidence of ethnic variations in the prevalence and outcomes of asthma within
nations have been well documented. This review examines the impact of ethnicity on asthma, with a focus on the literature from the UK
and the USA. Explanations for the unequal burden of disease experienced by ethnic minority groups include: their health beliefs,
attitudes, experiences and behaviours; the problem of poor health literacy, which tends to compound the challenges inherent in crosscultural
communication; concerns about the quality of care; and the relatively poor socio-economic position of minority ethnic groups
and how this impacts on the wider determinants of health. We conclude by suggesting research priorities for asthma and ethnicity, along
with practical actions within a collaborative care model.
Keywords
Asthma, ethnicity, disease burden, outcomes, morbidity, mortality, health beliefs, quality of care, cross-cultural
communication, collaborative care
* Corresponding author. Aziz Sheikh Tel: +44 (0)131 651 4151 Fax: +44 (0)131 650 9119 Email: aziz.sheikh@ed.ac.uk | |
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