Swine Flu Disproportionately Affecting Blacks and Hispanics

(Oct. 17) Studies being conducted on H1N1 (swine flu) infections by local health entities across the nation are revealing a trend showing that Blacks and Hispanics not only are being infected at a higher rate but are suffering more severe symptoms.

The Public Health Commission in Boston found that 37% of all swine flu cases in the city occurred among blacks, while the black population was only 25%.  Similarly, Hispanics accounted for one-third of all confirmed H1N1 cases, yet only constituting 14% of the city’s population.  Most disturbing, three of every four people hospitalized for swine flu in Boston have been black or Hispanic.

Similar finding have been revealed in Chicago, Illinois and Oklahoma as well.

Chicago’s Department of Public Health analyzed 1,500 lab-confirmed H1N1 cases between April and July and found that blacks and Hispanics were four times more likely to be hospitalized than whites.

Oklahoma’s Department of Public Health recently reported that black children in the state were three times more likely to be hospitalized for swine flu than their white counterparts.

While blacks and Hispanics are no more susceptible to H1N1 than the general population, the higher rate of hospitalization and initial infection likely reflect disparities to health conditions and lack of health insurance, according to experts.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told reporters during a phone conference, that minorities with chronic illnesses have been identified as primary citizens to receive the vaccine

“We have an independent advisory committee on immunization that looks at the flu every year and figure out who should get vaccinated first,” said Sebelius. “[Their decision is] mostly based on who is likely to get seriously ill from the flu, so folks with underlining health conditions are definitely a group of priority. And communities of color have higher rates of chronic illness such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes.”

A recent CDC study revealed that blacks were the most obese population in the nation.  Obesity has a direct correlation with heart disease and incidence of diabetes.

Also, a disproportionate number of blacks and Hispanics are classified as low-income families, increasing the likelihood that they don’t have insurance and might delay assistance from medical experts until the child has to go to the emergency room.

On Sept. 3rd the CDC releases a report on H1N1-related deaths among children between April and August, and found that of the 36 fatalities 12 were among Hispanics.  Of those 12, half of the children suffered a cardiac or respiratory attack before reaching the emergency room.

Data collected thus far only reflects the initial months of the flu outbreak.  The CDC is compiling data to reflect the national trend of how and who the H1N1 virus is impacting.  The report will be released sometime this week.

As of today, the epidemic is widespread in 41 states.