VARIATIONS IN ASTHMA HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS IN NEW-YORK-CITY

Background. Recent reports have identified New York City as having ast hma mortality rates that are substantially higher than expected based on US rates. This study investigates the problems of asthma morbidity and mortality in New York City. Methods. Data on asthma hospitalizatio ns (1982 to 1986) and deaths (1982 to 1987) among persons aged 0 to 34 years were studied. Descriptive and multivariate techniques were used to examine differences in rates among subgroups and across geographic areas. Results. The average annual hospitalization rate was 39.2 per 10 000; the mortality rate was 1.2 per 100 000. Hospitalization and de ath rates among Blacks and Hispanics were 3 to 5.5 times those of Whit es. Large geographic variations in hospitalizations and mortality occu rred. Asthma hospitalization and mortality rates were highly correlate d (r = .67), with the highest rates concentrated in the city's poorest neighborhoods. Household income, percentage of population Black, and percentage of population Hispanic were significant predictors of area hospitalization rates (adjusted R2 = .75). Conclusion. These findings provide a basis for focusing investigations of the causes of variation s in asthma outcomes and targeting interventions to reduce the disprop ortionate morbidity and mortality borne by poor and minority populatio ns.