Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Severe Influenza-Associated Disease

Racial and ethnic disparities exist in the rates of severe influenza-associated disease among US children and adults, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. CDC researchers who assessed influenza-associated hospitalization, ICU admission, and in-hospital death by race and ethnicity during 10 influenza seasons found that, among persons younger than 75, Black persons were more likely to be hospitalized and to be admitted to an ICU compared with similarly aged White people. For people younger than 50, American Indian or Alaska Native persons were more likely to be hospitalized and to be admitted to an ICU compared with similarly aged White people. Among children aged 4 and younger, hospitalization rates were higher in Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Asian or Pacific Islander children, as were rates of ICU admission compared with White children.