A new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics reveals that racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in childhood asthma extend beyond diagnosis to recovery, with non-Hispanic Black children and those from low-income families facing the steepest challenges. Led by Elvin Khanjahani and colleagues, the study analyzed data from over 277,000 children across seven years of the National Survey of Children’s Health.
Nationally, 7.4% of children had current asthma, but only 34.7% of those ever diagnosed were considered recovered. Black children had more than twice the odds of having current asthma compared to white children and were 34% less likely to recover. Hispanic children had moderately higher asthma prevalence but similar recovery odds to white children.
Children from immigrant families showed a different pattern: they were less likely to have asthma and more likely to recover. The authors suggest this may reflect protective health behaviors or lower exposure to environmental triggers, though language barriers and healthcare navigation challenges remain concerns.
Socioeconomic status played a major role. Children living below the federal poverty level had the highest asthma prevalence and lowest recovery rates. Financial hardship, single-parent households, and poor housing conditions were also linked to worse outcomes. Children with allergies or born preterm had significantly lower odds of recovery.
The study calls for equity-focused strategies that address environmental triggers, healthcare access, and structural barriers to improve long-term asthma outcomes for marginalized children.
See: “Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Disparities in Childhood Asthma Recovery in the United States” (September 17, 2025)
