African Americans at Higher Risk of H1N1 Complications
African Americans at Increased Risk of H1N1 Complications
Local Research shows Blacks are Nearly Three Times More Likely to be Hospitalized
Local research shows what public health officials have suspected for some time: African Americans are at an increased risk of H1N1 related hospitalizations. In fact, Blacks are nearly three times more likely to be hospitalized due to influenza complications.
Specifically since August 1, 2009, Blacks were hospitalized for influenza at a rate of 76.1 cases per 100,000 people compared to a rate of 27.7 cases per 100,000 people for Whites. As a result, Blacks were 2.7 times more likely to have an influenza-associated hospitalization than their White counterparts.
The research – which was conducted by a team of Columbus Public Health’s epidemiologists – also looked at issues of age related to race. The hospitalization rate for Blacks was at least 3 times higher than the White rate for adults younger than 45 years of age. However, the rates by race doubled for those aged 45-64. Among people 65 and older, the Black rate was slightly higher than the White rate.
“For decades, health disparities have existed between Black and White Americans and unfortunately, H1N1 influenza follows this trend,” says Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long. “We encourage African Americans – and all central Ohioans – to protect themselves by getting H1N1 vaccinations as soon as possible because increasing vaccination rates lower the risk for all communities.”
Through 13 large clinics between October 20 and December 22, 2009, CPH vaccinated more than 18,000 people. Even though 26% of the Columbus population is Black, less than 14% of those vaccinated were Black. “This vaccination gap illustrates a real need for the medical and public health community to re-double our efforts to reach a population that is being disproportionately affected by this influenza pandemic,” adds Dr. Long.
Vaccine is widely available through private healthcare providers, retail pharmacies and public health clinics. Columbus Public Health continues to offer free H1N1 shots on a walk-in basis through its immunization clinic. Immunization clinic hours are: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and, 8 a.m.-noon the second Saturday of every month. The immunization clinic is closed on Wednesdays.
Vaccines will also soon be offered free at Columbus City Schools starting next week. More information is available for parents by calling their student’s school or at www.ccsoh.us.
For frequently updated H1N1 information and resources, visit Columbus Flu Info on Facebook and Twitter or visit columbuspandemicflu.org. Columbus residents can also call 2-1-1 for information.