Black, Hispanic and Indigenous adults more likely to get hospitalized for flu

Black, Hispanic and Indigenous adults are more likely than white adults to be hospitalized with the flu and are more likely to be vaccinated, according to a new study released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). is also low.

Big picture: The report highlights the work needed to close the gaps in access to healthcare as the flu season begins early in the United States.

News promotion: The study, which analyzed influenza data from the last 13 seasons, found that black, Hispanic, Native American, and Alaska Native adults were 1.2 to 1.8 times more likely to be hospitalized and had more severe consequences than white adults. found to bring

• During the 2021-22 season, 53.9% of white adults were vaccinated compared to 37.9% of Hispanic adults, 40.9% of Native American and Alaskan adults, and 42% of black adults.
• This disparity, seen in the past year among those who reported having health insurance, private health care providers, and regular health check-ups, was largely attributed to “mistrust of the health care system, misconceptions about vaccine safety, and higher It was attributed to levels .. I’m worried about side effects,” the researchers wrote.

Notable: This same mistrust has also led to lower COVID vaccination rates among blacks.

What they say: “Racial and ethnic disparities in influenza disease severity and influenza vaccination coverage persist,” the study notes, highlighting the importance of building trust and combating misinformation among communities of color. emphasized sexuality.

• These groups “may face barriers to affordable and quality health care, such as access to health insurance, transportation to health care providers, and child care. They may have fewer opportunities for care and be more vulnerable to chronic medical conditions,” the researchers wrote. .
• “Higher prevalence of chronic illness is independently associated with more severe consequences of influenza, and the downstream effects of structural racism have implications for economic stability, housing, and education. It has been shown to give,” says the study.
• Poverty, dense housing and community exposure to respiratory disease are also associated with more severe outcomes.

To the point: “Coordination to provide influenza vaccination through non-traditional settings, along with national and community-level efforts to raise awareness of the importance of influenza vaccination among racial and ethnic minority communities. Programmatic efforts made could help address barriers to access to healthcare and improve confidence in vaccines, leading to narrowing disparities in influenza vaccination coverage and disease severity,” the study said.