This page provides data points and curated searches from OMH’s Knowledge Center library catalog related to asthma within minority and tribal populations in the United States and its territories. The number of catalog records for each topic reflect the search results at the time of this page’s latest update.
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the lungs. It is common in children, but adults can have asthma too. People with asthma have the condition all the time, but asthma attacks usually appear only when something irritates their lungs. An asthma attack can cause coughing, tightness in the chest, wheezing, and trouble breathing. These symptoms happen in the airways, which are the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. During an asthma attack, the airways swell, tighten, and are clogged by mucus. This makes it harder for air to move in and out of the lungs. Common things that can trigger asthma symptoms include secondhand smoke, dust mites, air pollution, cockroaches and other pests, pets, and mold.
American Indian/Alaska Native
In 2024, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults were 19% more likely than U.S. adults overall to currently have asthma. From 2019 to 2021, AI/AN children under age 18 were 42% more likely than U.S. children overall to have asthma.
For additional data on asthma and American Indians/Alaska Natives, please visit our Population Profiles.
Asian American
In 2024, Asian American adults were 48% less likely than U.S. adults overall to have asthma. Asian American children were 45% less likely than U.S. children overall to have asthma. In 2021, Asian American adults were 34% less likely than U.S. adults overall to die from asthma.
For additional data on asthma and Asian Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Black/African American
In 2024, Black/African American adults were 14% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have asthma. Black/African American children were 60% more likely than U.S. children overall to have asthma. In 2021, Black/African American adults were more than twice as likely to die from asthma compared with U.S. adults overall. Black/African American children were nearly four times as likely to die from asthma compared with U.S. children overall. In 2020, Black/African American adults were almost three times as likely to visit the emergency room because of asthma as U.S. adults overall. Black/African American children were about two and a half times as likely to visit the emergency room because of asthma as U.S. children overall.
For additional data on asthma and Black or African Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Hispanic/Latino
In 2024, Hispanic/Latino adults were 24% less likely than U.S. adults overall to have asthma. Hispanic/Latino children were 9% more likely than U.S. children overall to have asthma. In 2021, Hispanic/Latino adults were 40% less likely than U.S. adults overall to die from asthma. Hispanic/Latino children were 30% less likely than U.S. children overall to die from asthma. In 2020, Hispanic/Latino adults were 5% less likely than U.S. adults overall to visit the emergency room because of asthma. Hispanic/Latino children were 3% less likely than U.S. children overall to visit the emergency room because of asthma.
For additional data on asthma and Hispanic/Latino Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
In 2024, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) adults were 55% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have asthma. In 2021, Asian and Pacific Islander adults were 34% less likely than U.S. adults overall to die from asthma.
For additional data on asthma and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, please visit our Population Profiles.