A recent shift to race-neutral lung function tests is significantly improving asthma diagnosis rates among Black children. Historically, lung function equations adjusted for race have underestimated lung capacity in Black patients, leading to underdiagnosis and increased morbidity. Dr. Erica Ridley, an allergist and immunologist at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, explains that these outdated equations have contributed to delays in diagnosis and treatment, exacerbating health disparities.
Henry Ford Health, serving a large Black population with high asthma rates, has adopted race-neutral spirometry, which has proven twice as effective in identifying asthma in Black patients compared to race-adjusted methods. This change is crucial for communities like central Detroit, where residential segregation and environmental factors such as pollution and allergens contribute to higher asthma rates and severity.
A broader study conducted in Cincinnati supports these findings, showing that race-neutral equations identified two to four times more Black children with significant airway obstruction symptoms suggestive of asthma. This approach ensures that Black children receive timely and accurate diagnoses, reducing the risk of untreated asthma and its associated health complications.
Dr. Ridley emphasizes the importance of eliminating race-specific adjustments in medical testing to ensure equitable healthcare. By adopting race-neutral tests, healthcare providers can better serve minority communities, addressing long-standing disparities and improving health outcomes for Black children.
See: “Switch to race-neutral test fixes missed asthma among Black kids” (April 15, 2025)