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The New England Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently hosted a webinar to examine health equity among Black Americans. Four experts joined the online discussion, titled “Speaker Series: Health Care Disparities in the Asthma and Allergy Community.”

The panel looked at how these factors affect health equity:

Asthma Disparities in America

The burden of asthma in the U.S. falls disproportionately on Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native people. These groups have the highest asthma rates, deaths, and hospital stays. AAFA’s Asthma Disparities in America report looks at how asthma affects these groups in the United States. In the report, AAFA outlines key strategies to address the topics discussed in the video clips below.


The panel of experts included:

  • Raolat Abdulai, MD, MM Sc, Global Clinical Lead for the Immunology and Inflammation Division for
  • Margee Louisias, MD, MPH, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Lakiea Wright, MD, MAT MPH, Associate Physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Division of Allergy and Immunology, and Medical Director of U.S. Clinical Affairs in the Immuno-Diagnostics Division at Thermo Fischer Scientific
  • Jorge Rodriguez, MD, board-certified internist and Clinician-Investigator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Below are some excerpts from the discussion.

What Is a Health Disparity?

Addressing health disparities is a key part in AAFA’s goal to reduce the harm and unequal burden of asthma on minority groups. The expert panel defines health disparities and gives examples that exist in the United States.



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What Is Structural Racism, and How Does It Contribute to Health Disparities?

Drs. Wright and Louisias talk about structural racism in the U.S. and why we need change to achieve health equity.



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What Is the Role of Environmental Exposures on Health Disparities?

Racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. have more exposure to environmental triggers, like air pollution. Experts review environmental asthma triggers and their role in health disparities.



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What Is the Role of Nutrition and Food Insecurity in Asthma and Allergies?

Experts talk about what role nutrition plays in developing asthma and allergies. They also look at how food insecurity – a lack of access to healthy, allergy-friendly food – affects people with food allergies.



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Why Is It Important for Communities of Color and Different Ethnic Groups to Participate in Clinical Trials?

Dr. Abdulai talks about the history of clinical trials and why we need Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous Americans to take part in them.



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How Do We Eliminate Health Disparities and Achieve Justice, and What Is Justice Vs. Equality?

Experts review strategies to get rid of health disparities and achieve health equity in the United States.



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Get Involved

You can also join our mission to promote pathways for equity in asthma and allergy care resulting in healthier outcomes.

Have you faced or seen racial or ethnic bias in asthma and/or allergy care? Share your story so health care providers and communities can learn from you. Are you a community leader or health care provider working on solutions? We want to hear what motivates you to help marginalized groups living with asthma and allergies. Send your story to stories@aafa.org.

Looking for an idea on how to make a difference? Join our community and become a patient spokesperson.

Follow us on social media, tag us, and use the hashtag #HealthEquityNOW to help raise awareness, get involved, and share your reasons why this is a key concern for you.

You can also donate to support our community outreach, research, programming, and policy work to help put an end to disparities in asthma and allergies.

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Comments (3)

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which vaccine do you suggest for a senior with breathing and coughing and
choking issues? MODERNA, PFIZER OR JOHNSON AND JOHNSON?

.....AND DON'T YOU FORGET TO SMILE TODAY. I KNOW I AM.


On Thu, Feb 25, 2021 at 11:16 AM Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America <
support@aafa.org> wrote:

The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are both appropriate for adults over the age of 18 (Pfizer's can be given to teens/adults at 16 years old and up).

Now, if you're coughing and choking because you have COVID, you should hold off on getting the vaccine until you feel better (per the CDC).

If you are coughing and choking because you have an allergies (e.g., pollen, peanuts, pineapple, etc), you can still get the vaccine. That said, if you are allergic to any of the specific ingredients in the vaccine, you should talk to a board-certified allergist and share your concerns with the doctors.

Keeping smiling and asking questions!

JR
which vaccine do you suggest for a senior with breathing and coughing and
choking issues? MODERNA, PFIZER OR JOHNSON AND JOHNSON?

.....AND DON'T YOU FORGET TO SMILE TODAY. I KNOW I AM.


On Thu, Feb 25, 2021 at 11:16 AM Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America <
support@aafa.org> wrote:

Hi @californiamom! Welcome to the community.

We have a blog post with lots of information on the COVID-19 vaccines. The post includes and easy-to-use chart that explains who should get which vaccine, who should talk their doctor first, and who may want to wait.

Have you signed up for your vaccine appointment yet?

Thanks for the reminder to smile - I always appreciate a good smile.

Lorene

Lorene
which vaccine do you suggest for a senior with breathing and coughing and
choking issues? MODERNA, PFIZER OR JOHNSON AND JOHNSON?

.....AND DON'T YOU FORGET TO SMILE TODAY. I KNOW I AM.


On Thu, Feb 25, 2021 at 11:16 AM Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America <
support@aafa.org> wrote:
C
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