FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2018
CONTACT:
Erica Krutsch
Director, Marketing and Communications
Respiratory Health Association
Desk: (312) 628-0225
Cell: (734) 262-4527
Latest Study Shows Persisting Racial Disparities Among Chicago Children with Asthma
News conference with Julie Morita, MD, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner
WHO: President & CEO of Respiratory Health Association Joel Africk, Dr. Julie Morita, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, Dr. Ken Fox, Chief Health Officer for Chicago Public Schools and Dr. Ruchi Gupta, pediatrician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, will discuss new data on racial disparities in pediatric asthma.
WHAT: Data analysis by Respiratory Health Association shows little progress in addressing racial disparities among Chicago children with asthma. The report focuses on rates of asthma-related emergency department visits from 2009-2015.
African American children accounted for over 63% of all asthma-related emergency department visits recorded in 2015. The rate of visits by that group remained 75% greater than the citywide rate. In addition, racial disparities in childhood asthma contribute to over $6 million in avoidable health care charges each year in Chicago.
WHEN: World Asthma Day – May 1, 2018 at 10:00 AM
Speakers will be available for interview beginning at 10:20 AM
WHERE: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
225 E Chicago Ave, 11th floor conference center
WHY: Chicago has been identified as an epicenter for asthma, with higher prevalence in minority communities on the city’s west and south sides.
Following the news conference, leaders in asthma research and policy will convene for a short summit to discuss next steps and recommendations for increasing health equity among Chicagoans with asthma.
About Respiratory Health Association
Respiratory Health Association (RHA) has been a local public health leader in Chicago since 1906. Our mission is to prevent lung disease, promote clean air and help people live better through education, research and policy change. RHA’s asthma education programs teach 2,000 Chicago students asthma management techniques each year. For more information, visit www.resphealth.org.