Volume 14, Number 5—May 2008
Perspective
Pandemic Influenza Planning in the United States from a Health Disparities Perspective
Table
Factors that could contribute to health disparities among socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups during an influenza pandemic
Differences in exposure to influenza virus |
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Crowding in households, medical facilities, public transportation |
Occupational factors such as inability to work from home, dependence on childcare outside of the home |
Differences in susceptibility to influenza disease, once exposed to the virus |
Host factors, including preexisting immunity, age, other underlying diseases or conditions, smoking, nutritional status, stress |
Vaccination status, reflecting differences in vaccine seeking and acceptance and in vaccine availability |
Differences in timely effective treatment, once influenza disease has developed |
Access to outpatient and inpatient medical care |
Care-seeking attitudes and behavior |
Financial obstacles, including lack of adequate insurance coverage |
Logistic obstacles, including transportation, language |
Quality of care |
Availability of antiviral treatments |
Appropriate inpatient treatment |