What impact is 2009 H1N1 having on African American communities?
2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu data on racial and ethnic groups have been taken from a wide range of sources and geographic areas and show differing results. For instance: • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data show self-reported influenza-like illness and having sought medical care for that illness was similar among racial/ethnic groups.1 • From April 15-August 31, 2009, 35 percent of people hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 in 13 metropolitan areas of 10 states were non-Hispanic black. Only 16 percent of the catchment area population studied, however, was non-Hispanic black.2 • Non-Hispanic black children less than 5 years old had higher seasonal influenza-associated hospitalization rates (1.2/100,000) than non-Hispanic white children of the same age (0.5/100,000) in university medical centers serving Rochester, Nashville and Cincinnati.3 • Black children younger than 18 years of age account for 16.6% of 210 reported influenza-associated deaths in 2009.4 Their representation in the
