VARIATIONS IN HOSPITALIZATION RATES FOR ASTHMA AMONG BLACK AND MINORITY ETHNIC-COMMUNITIES

In response to the introduction of ethnic monitoring within the U.K. h ospital inpatient data set, this study investigates the variations in secondary healthcare utilization by Black and minority ethnic communit ies whose cause of admission is related to asthma. The study examines all residents of the West Midlands: over 5 million people, of whom 8.5 % are from Black and minority ethnic groups. A retrospective study of 15 921 asthma-related hospital admissions, from 1 April 1995 to 31 Mar ch 1996, was carried out. Age-standardized admission rates were higher in all Black and minority ethnic groups studied than in the White gro up. There were elevated rates in Black children aged 5-14 years, and p articular differences were observed for Indian and Bangladesh men and women aged 65 years or over. Emergency admissions to hospital for asth ma were strongly associated with patients' socioeconomic background bu t this was largely observed for Black and minority ethnic groups that also generally experience high levels of deprivation. The findings sup port previous studies which suggest that hospital utilization rates fo r asthma among people from Black and minority ethnic groups are high c ompared with the White group, despite little evidence in measured prev alence. This study suggests that ethnic background is more important i n asthma admissions than deprivation, which raises serious concerns on the appropriateness and quality of asthma care for these patient grou ps within our society. Future studies need to examine pathways to care , that is the health-seeking behaviour of Black and minority ethnic gr oups, the type of treatment received at the primary care level and ref erral patterns to secondary care.