Asthma and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Asthma

National data for this population is limited.
While all of the causes of asthma remain unclear, children exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke exposure are at increased risk for acute lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis. Children living below or near the poverty level are more likely to have high levels of blood cotinine, a breakdown product of nicotine, than children living in higher income families.¹
In 2014, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders were 30 percent more likely to have asthma, as compared to non-Hispanic whites.

Percentage of asthma among persons 18 years of age and over, ever being told they had asthma, 2018
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	Non-Hispanic White	Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
7.8	14.2	0.5

Percentage of adults ages 18 years and over who currently have asthma, 2018
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	Non-Hispanic White	Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
--	8.0	--

Source: CDC 2021. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-2a.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm

Percentage of asthma among persons 18 years of age and over, ever being told they had asthma, 2014
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	Non-Hispanic White	Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
19.2	13.5	1.4

*Source: CDC, 2017. Selected Health Conditions Among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Adults: United States, 2014. Figure 4
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db277.pdf [333KB]
Source: CDC 2017. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2014. Table A-2.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm

Percentage of asthma among persons 18 years of age and over, still have asthma, 2014
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	Non-Hispanic White	Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
9.9	7.8	1.3

* Source: CDC, 2017. Selected Health Conditions Among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Adults: United States, 2014. Figure 4
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db277.pdf [333KB]
Source: CDC 2017. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2014. Table A-2.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm

Percentage of adults 18 years of age and over with asthma, 2004-2006
	Population	White	Population/White Ratio
Total Asian	8.0	11.0	0.7
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander & other	10.2	11.0	0.9

*Source: CDC 2008. Health characteristics of the Asian adult population: United States, 2004-2006, Table 4.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad394.pdf [PDF | 475KB]

The most recent National Surveillance for Asthma does not include data for Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Age-adjusted percentage for children under 18 years of age, ever being told they had asthma, 2018
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	Non-Hispanic White	Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
--	9.4	--

Source: CDC 2021. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table C-1a.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm

Age-adjusted percentage for children under 18 years of age, who currently have asthma, 2018
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	Non-Hispanic White	Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/ Non-Hispanic White Ratio
--	5.6	--

¹ Source: CDC 2021. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table C-1a.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm

* NOTE: This is the most recent national data which is available at this time.

Last Modified: 2/11/2021 11:17:00 AM

Office of Minority Health