Race, Ethnicity and Social Class and the Complex Etiologies of Asthma

Abstract

SummaryAsthma is a common but complex respiratory disease caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Significant racial and ethnic disparities in prevalence, mortality, and drug response have been described. These disparities may be explained by racial and ethnic-specific variation in genetic, environmental, social and psychological risk factors. In addition, race, ethnicity, and social class are important proxies for unmeasured factors that influence health outcomes. Herein, we review salient differences in the etiologies of asthma by race, ethnicity and social class, and argue for their continued use as variables in asthma research.

Pharmacogenomics of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Ligands in Cardiovascular Medicine

“…Therefore, their effects on clinical responses are at best small relative to those of other factors affecting drug response, including life style, drug adherence, drug interactions, nutritional factors, hepatic and renal functions, drinking and smoking habits, age, and body composition, to name but a few. Effects of gender and ethnicity have also major impacts on drug responses (Rahemtulla and Bhopal, 2005;Duster, 2007;Franconi et al, 2007;Drake et al, 2008;McNamara, 2008). Although both factors have undoubtedly a genetic background, the involved genes and their mechanisms await further elucidation.…”

Asthma as a Respiratory Disorder: A Review

“…and airway obstruction, remodeling and inflammation is brought about by the interaction of these cells with cells of respiratory tract, e.g., endothelium, epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells etc. [89].…”

Role of Financial and Social Hardships in Asthma Racial Disparities

“…This fact ought to provoke caution before the personalization of asthma care relies solely on genetic factors or measured biomarkers. 22,52,53 Personalized management of asthma may benefit from complementing genetics with a focus on financial or social hardships that could guide hospital-and communitybased resources to those with the most to gain. 54 Additionally, whenever critically appraising conclusions highlighting genes as a basis for health disparities, the issue of residual confounding, of not accurately measuring the underlying variables that affect racial disparities, should be taken into account.…”

“…Given that racial disparities likely operate, at least in part, through socioeconomic disadvantage, 13 a more complete and effective understanding of this relationship is essential. [20][21][22][23][24] Measures of financial and social hardship, or strain, can highlight challenges families confront in the setting of limited resources. 25,26 African Americans are more likely to experience competing household priorities 14 and hardships, even after adjustment for income and education.…”