Swine flu death rates higher for Black, Latino children than Whites

Health & Fitness
Swine flu death rates higher for Black, Latino children than Whites
By Nicole Austin NNPA Special Correspondent
Updated Dec 21, 2009 - 9:16:40 AM

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Black and Hispanic children have suffered higher proportional death rates from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) than their White counterparts.

According to the Center for Disease Control, Black and Hispanic children have a greater number of H1N1 deaths since the epidemic started sweeping the nation last March. The agency is not clear about the reason for the disparities. “Blacks and Hispanics are represented in a greater proportion among seasonal and H1N1 deaths in children, than their representation in the U.S. population,” says a report from the CDC, released to the NNPA News Service. “The reasons for more severe outcomes among Black and Hispanics are unknown but may be related to the frequency of underlying conditions that increase the risk for influenza complications in that population or the timing of medical care and or treatment … This racial ethnic disparity requires further study.”

In the most recent numbers acquired, from Sept. 1 to the end of October, Black children made up 32 percent of the children who had died from the virus although they comprise only about 12 percent of the nation's population of children. Hispanic children made up 21 percent of children who had died although they make up only 15 percent of the nation's population of children. On the other hand, White children, who make up 67 percent of the nation's population of children, made up only 25 percent of the children who had died.

The rate of death for regular seasonal flu among Black, Hispanic and White children is also racially disparate—at 18 percent, 25 percent, and 42 percent respectively.

Dr. Louis Sullivan, former president and founder of the Morehouse School of Medicine, agrees with the CDC about possible threats from “underlying conditions.” Bad nutrition, asthma, diabetes, obesity among Black and Hispanic youth and disproportionately poor overall health are ongoing problems, he said. Therefore a serious virus like H1N1 have more severe affects, he added.

For example, Dr. Sullivan said the combination of asthma and H1N1 and also seasonal flu, can lead to death.

“African-Americans and Hispanics have a high concentration in low-income neighborhoods,” Mr. Sullivan said. “Poor communities have higher incidents of asthma. (It) is one condition that increases susceptibility to influenza.”

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