Demographic disparities among children with frequent ear infections in the United States

Abstract

Despite increasing awareness, there are still notable racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities among children with FEI. Further efforts to eliminate these disparities and improve the care of children with FEI are needed.

Surgery for Otitis Media in a Universal Health Care Model: Socioeconomic Status and Race/Ethnicity Effects

“…A National Health Insurance Survey (NHIS) by Vakharia et al of more than 7 million American children demonstrated a higher prevalence of frequent ear infections (greater than 3 acute otitis media episodes over the course of 1 year) in white children when compared with Black/ African American and Hispanic/Latino children. 1 An older NHIS study by Lanphear et al also demonstrated similar results with respect to race/ethnicity, as well as poverty status, in terms of its association with less frequent recurrent acute otitis media. 19 Auinger et al showed a higher prevalence of otitis media in Caucasian children based on the Third Nutritional Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.…”

“…2 In the United States, the annual cost of treatment for otitis media to include medical and surgical intervention is estimated between $3 billion and $5 billion. 1,2 Previously reported intrinsic otitis media risk factors include low birth weight, male gender, and age younger than 7 years old. Extrinsic risks have included day care attendance, presence of siblings in the household, smokers in the household, and lack of breastfeeding.…”

Do race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status affect why we place ear tubes in children?

“…Some studies demonstrated similar rates of RAOM and OME between black and white children, while others found higher rates of OME among black children and in children who are publicly insured 37,38 . Regarding RAOM, higher rates of frequent OM (defined as 3 or more episodes of OM in the past 12 months) have been found among white children and among children living below poverty, whereas other studies have found a higher prevalence of frequent OM in more affluent children 40,41 .…”

The prevalence of voice problems among adults in the United States

“…The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), conducted by the National Center for Healthcare Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control, is a household‐based, yearly survey evaluating and quantifying the self‐reported health status of United States' residents . This survey has been used to determine the basic prevalence of many health conditions on a national basis, including several in otolaryngology, such as sinusitis and balance disorders . In the 2012 cycle of the NHIS, a supplement was contained within the survey specifically pertaining to adult voice, speech, and language disorders, with targeted, specific questions related to respondents' voice problems.…”