We looked to see if there were differences in asthma among groups based on the median income level of an individual's neighborhood.  This information can be useful for identifying disparities, advocating for resources, planning programs, and evaluating activities.  Disparities in asthma outcomes are evident when looking at rates by levels of household income. This further demonstrates the benefits of having access to quality health care in managing asthma.  The results are displayed as charts and tables, below. 

The data used to create these charts came from Kaiser Permanente of Northern California and Medi-Cal fee-for-service population.  The following charts show rates for a sample of children age 0-17 residing in Alameda County.

ASTHMA EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS BY INCOME (AGE 0-17)

As median household income increased, the rate of ER visits among children decreased.  Children from households with a low median income (less than $27,000) were four times more likely to visit an ER than children from households with a high median income ($100,000 or more).

Figure 1.

Click here to download a PDF of Figure 1.

ASTHMA OUTPATIENT VISITS BY INCOME  (AGE 0-17)

Disparities in outpatient visits (i.e. routine visit to the clinic/physician) by income were not as drastic as disparities in ER visits.  However, some differences did exist.  Notably, children in households with a higher median income ($56-100,000) were significantly more likely to visit the clinic/physician than children from households with a lower median income ($40-56,000).

Figure 2.

Click here to download a PDF of Figure 2.

ASTHMA SYMPTOM MEDICATION PURCHASES BY INCOME  (AGE 0-17)

As median household income increased, there was a slight increase in symptom medication purchase rates.  For children from households with a median income of $56-100,000, the rate of symptom medication purchases was significantly higher than children from households with a lower median income (less than $56,000).

Figure 3.

Click here to download a PDF of Figure 3.

ASTHMA MAINTENANCE MEDICATION PURCHASES BY INCOME (AGE 0-17)

Roughly opposite the pattern noted with ER visits, as median household income increased, so did the rate of maintenance medication purchases among children (aged 0-17).  For children living in households with a median income of $56,000 or greater, the rate of maintenance medication purchases was significantly higher than the rate among children living in households with a lower median income (less than $56,000).

Figure 4.

Click here to download a PDF of Figure 4.

By comparing the four charts, we see that children living in less affluent areas experienced worse asthma outcomes.  Comparisons also suggest these children did not receive quality medical care and/or were not able to adequately treat their asthma.

Tables and charts of rates of asthma indicators by income for adults are also available in PDF:

Adults (age 18 - 44)

ER visit rate by income

Outpatient visit rate by income

Symptom medication purchase rate by income

Maintenance medication purchase rate by income

Adults (age 45 - 65)

ER visit rate by income

Outpatient visit rate by income

Symptom medication purchase rate by income

Maintenance medication purchase rate by income

Go to:

Asthma maps and tables

Mapping the cost of asthma

FAQs on asthma and results

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