Asthma Rates Higher Among Native Americans by Kylee Carter

Native Americans have a higher rate of asthma, and this respiratory condition affects around 25% of low-income people from this group, according to the Washington State Department of Health (WSDH). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, meanwhile, states that native American children (American Indians and Alaska natives) are 60% more likely to have asthma as children from white populations. The exact cause of the problem is unknown, but health professionals believe that it could be linked to secondhand exposure from tobacco smoke, which increases the likelihood of lower respiratory issues. Research has found, for instance, that children from low income families are more likely to have a byproduct of nicotine in their bloodstream than those from families that are financially better off. What do we know about asthma in the population, and what can be done to address it?

Asthma Prevalence Among Native Americans 

Statistics indicate that more women than men have asthma in the Native American population, and that the rate is twice as high among people aged between 25 and 74 as it is in the general population. This is the case among indigenous peoples of all education levels and all incomes, though as explained above, rates are particularly high among low-income families. Asthma also affects Native Americans in terms of quality of life to a greater degree. For instance, the WSDH reports that around 50% of native Americans have daily symptoms, compared to only 25% in the general population. Native Americans also report greater sleep disturbance (wakefulness because of asthma symptoms) than the general population. 

Co-Existing Chronic Diseases In The Native American Population

Around 22% of Native Americans with asthma also have diabetes. Indeed, it is common for asthmatics as a whole to have co-existing conditions such as hypertension, depression, and high stress. The latter is to be expected considering the impact that asthma can have on daily life. Compared to other people, more indigenous populations describe their health status as ‘poor.’

Asthma Triggers In The Home

Around 95% of Native Americans have carpets or rugs in their homes, and they should be aware that carpets are a trigger for asthma. Interestingly, Native Americans have a lower rate of mold in the home – just 8% saw or smelled mold in their interiors, says the WSDH, compared to 13% of the general population. Indigenous people should be aware, of course, that not all mold can be easily identified, since spores can hide in HVAC systems, pipes, and the like. Native Americans living in humid or toxic mold-prone areas in particular should consider testing for invisible and dangerous mold so as to reduce their asthma risk significantly. This is particularly important if it is known that black mold tends to grow in a particular zone.

Additional Risk Factors

Additional risk factors include obesity and having visceral (abdominal) fat, smoking, and being exposed to secondhand smoke. It is important to take steps to reduce these harmful habits, as well as to see healthcare providers to the extent that this is financially possible. Over a quarter of Native Americans are unable to see a healthcare provider because of cost issues – which is more than twice the rate for members of the general population. 

Steps To Manage Asthma

It is important for Native Americans with asthma to have a written asthma plan to manage asthma effectively – something which almost 50% of Native Americans do. Attending asthma management classes also helps to identify the steps they can take within their homes to reduce symptoms and to learn how to use peak flow meters and other technology that can inform them of their state of health. Healthcare providers need to step up their game as well, scheduling checkups twice a year for asthmatics and assessing indigenous people for commonly coexisting conditions during checkups. State health departments need to provide more asthma home visits in tribal communities and offer more opportunities for low-income earners to receive due diagnosis and treatment.

Native Americans have a significantly higher rate of asthma than members of the general population. The exact cause is unknown, though triggers and risk factors are well established. Providing indigenous populations with regular health check-ups and home visits can help mitigate the problem, as can a commitment to changes within the home to improve air quality and reduce the presence of triggers.