The relation of socioeconomic factors and racial/ethnic differences in US asthma mortality

Objectives. This study described relations between socioeconomic factors an d race/ethnicity as risk factors for asthma mortality. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted of US mortality records from 1991 through 1996. Results. Higher standardized mortality ratios were seen for Blacks vs White s (3.34 vs 0.65), low vs high educational level (1.51 vs 0.69), and low vs high income(1.46 vs 0.71). Excess mortality for Blacks vs Whites was presen t in the highest and lowest quintiles of median county income and education al level. The disparity in asthma mortality rates according to median count y income and education remained after control for race/ethnicity. Conclusions. Black race/ethnicity appears to be associated independently fr om low income and low education, with an elevated risk for asthma mortality .