asthma and african americans

Although African Americans represent only 12.7 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 26 percent of all asthma deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Three-time gold medalist, four-time world champion and current heptathlon world record-holder Jackie Joyner-Kersee was first diagnosed with mononucleosis and bronchitis while in college, but later realized her illness was something much more serious. “I realized I had been experiencing symptoms all along, but lived in denial for a while because we never related my symptoms with asthma,” she shares.

Over four million African Americans suffer from this chronic disease, the highest prevalence of any racial or ethnic group. Asthma has two main components, airway constriction and inflammation. These components result in a number of symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

“People should educate themselves on how to recognize their symptoms. Put a daily routine together and stick with it. Most of us live in denial,” says Joyner-Kersee. “Asthma is a disease that can be controlled and we have the power to control it.” A number of factors account for the alarming increase in asthma victims in the African American community, but environmental pollution is the topmost contributor. Seventy-one percent of African Americans live in regions of the U.S. with air pollution at levels higher than the federal standard allowance. Only 58 percent of whites live in these areas, according to a study conducted by the American Lung Association. Living conditions alone do not explain the high death rate, though. Once diagnosed, individuals must take the appropriate steps to monitor and prevent changes in the status of the disease. For Joyner-Kersee, a specialist pharmacist played a key role on her asthma control team.

“With the specific knowledge of my condition, my specialist pharmacist helps me talk through my specific treatment and enables me to better control my condition. The pharmacist is like a life coach to me,” she says, adding a few words of advice for people living with asthma. “Remember, asthma is controllable and our quality of life doesn’t have to diminish because of it.” –yvette caslin