Variation in adult asthma prevalence in Hispanic Subpopulations in New York city

Background. We compared asthma prevalence among New York City Hispanics-Puerto Rican, Dominican, and other Hispanics-in relation to nativity, socioeconomic status, and asthma risk factors. Methods. Weighted logistic regression analyses on telephone survey data for New York City (NYC) adults in 2003/ 2004. Results. Asthma prevalence was highest among Puerto Ricans (11.8%) compared with Dominicans and other Hispanics. Non-US-born Dominicans and other Hispanics were significantly less likely to report current asthma than were Puerto Ricans (OR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.18-0.41 and OR = 0.17, 95% CI 0.11-0.26, respectively). In multivariate analyses, US-born Dominicans and other Hispanics had rates comparable to Puerto Ricans. Conclusions. Puerto Ricans, both mainland-and native-born, report the highest rates of adult asthma. Non-US-born Hispanics report lower rates. Acculturation and patterns of residential settlement may account for this variation.