Blacks are 80% more likely than whites to be hospitalized with the flu, according to new federal data.
Black, Hispanic, and Native American/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults in the United States are also lower influenza Since 2010, a report by researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found vaccination rates compared to whites.
The inequalities are the result of barriers to care, mistrust of the health system, and misinformation, the report says.
“We have many of the tools we need to address inequalities and flu vaccination coverage and outcomes,” said CDC Acting Principal Deputy Director Debra Houry, MD, MPH in a press conference today. said in “However, we must acknowledge that inequalities in access to care continue to exist. Improving vaccine uptake requires addressing the root causes of these ongoing disparities.”
The CDC has already reported an early increase in influenza activity in the United States, with the highest activity in the southeast and south-central regions of the country. Experts warn It could be a more severe flu season than the last two years. CDC officials emphasize that vaccination is the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from influenza. “Everyone should get a flu shot now and encourage others and their communities to get the flu vaccine as the best way to prevent flu this fall and winter,” he said. said.
A recent report on inequality by community stated: It was published October 18th vital signs, the researchers used two national databases, the Influenza-Related Hospitalization Surveillance Network and the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System, to estimate hospitalization rates from 2009 to 2022 and hospitalization rates from 2010 to 2022 based on race and ethnicity. Check vaccination coverage. All individuals included in the analysis were 18 years of age or older, and due to insufficient data, the 2020–2021 influenza season was excluded from the analysis.
Compared with white adults, hospitalization rates were 80% higher for black adults, 30% higher for Hispanic adults, and 20% higher for AI/AN adults. Influenza vaccination rates were similar among Caucasians and Asians (approximately 54%), but were black (42%), Hispanic (38%), AI/AN (41%), and other/multiethnic (43%). ) of adults had lower coverage.
“This report adds to the body of evidence showing that people from certain racial and ethnic minority groups have higher rates of more severe outcomes than white adults,” said CDC’s Division of Immunization Services. said Dr. Carla Black, MPH, an epidemiologist in press call. Flu vaccines don’t always protect against infection, she added, but those who get sick after vaccination tend to do better. Increasing access to and combating misinformation are important steps to increase vaccination coverage among minority groups.
Social distancing measures such as masks have made the spread of the flu more difficult, but relaxing these safety measures could also lead to an increase in the number of cases. “We’ve had two mild flu seasons, which means the time may be ripe for a serious season.” , natural immunity is declining, people are returning to work and traveling again, and all these factors may contribute to a more severe flu season.”
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