Updated on January 31, 2025.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes inflammation in the airways of the lungs. Airways are tubes that carry air in and out of the body as a person breathes. When the airways in the lungs become inflamed, these tubes become swollen and produce more mucus. This will make it more difficult for a person to breathe.
Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath are common symptoms. The severity of asthma can vary significantly from one person to the next. Some people will only experience mild symptoms and/or occasional flares. Others can experience severe and potentially life-threatening asthma attacks.
Asthma is common. In the United States, roughly 1 in 12 people have asthma, and asthma affects approximately 23 million adults over the age of 18. For many of these adults, asthma is a condition that they have lived with since childhood. Others will have received an asthma diagnosis as an adult. This is called “adult-onset asthma” (and is typically defined as asthma that begins after the age of 20).
Hispanic Americans and asthma
The prevalence of asthma varies across different populations, including populations of people who have different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
In the United States, people who are Mexican-American have lower rates of asthma compared to the non-Hispanic white population, non-Hispanic Black population, and other Hispanic populations. Meanwhile, people from Puerto Rico have the highest rates of asthma among any racial or ethnic group in the United States.
The burden of living with asthma and treating asthma can also vary across people of different races and ethnicities. In some studies, Hispanic Americans were nearly twice as likely to visit the emergency room for asthma compared to people who are non-Hispanic white.
Disparities like this are driven by the inequalities that exist within social determinants of health. Social determinants of health refer to "the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age." For example, access to healthcare and the quality of the healthcare that is available are often determined by a person's annual income, where they live, and their relationships with other people in their community—for example, having a friend who can recommend a healthcare provider.
Culturally competent care for asthma
In healthcare, cultural competence refers to a provider’s ability to recognize the different ways that a person’s race, ethnicity, language, and cultural background can affect healthcare needs—and to deliver care that meets those needs.
As a person seeking care for a health condition, cultural competence is something to consider. For example, you may choose to work with a healthcare provider who is familiar with your community, or you may seek out a healthcare provider who speaks the language you feel most comfortable speaking.
Cultural competence can be especially important when managing a condition like asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. Because the severity of asthma varies from person to person, treatment will also vary from person to person.
Signs of culturally competent care in a healthcare setting include:
- You feel respected by your provider and the other staff members.
- You feel comfortable raising questions and concerns, and you feel that your questions and concerns are taken seriously.
- Your healthcare provider is able to explain things in a way that you understand.
- You feel that you can be honest with your healthcare provider.
- You are able to communicate with your healthcare provider in a language you feel comfortable and confident speaking.
While there is no treatment that can cure asthma, there are treatments that can control symptoms, prevent asthma attacks, and reduce the risk of complications. Working with a healthcare provider that understands your needs can lead to a better quality of care, better treatment outcomes, and more confidence in your treatment decisions. It’s worth the time and effort it can take to find a provider that is a good fit for you.
