Local data: Minorities hit hardest by swine flu

August 28, 2009 -- Minorities in Chicago were at least four times more likely to be hospitalized for swine flu infections than whites, according to a report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The difference in hospitalization rates does not appear to be caused by genetics, health officials said. It may be a reflection of different exposure patterns and minorities having higher rates of asthma, diabetes and other medical conditions known to increase the risk of complications from the H1N1 flu virus.

The findings are based on 1,550 confirmed swine flu cases reported to the Chicago Public Health Department between April and July.

Blacks had the highest hospitalization rate at 9 per 100,000, followed by Hispanics and Asians at 8 per 100,000. Whites were hospitalized at a rate of 2 per 100,000, the CDC reported.

The Chicago data also showed that children ages 5 to 14 were 14 times more likely to get swine flu than people older than 60, adding to previous evidence that young people are more at risk for the novel flu virus.

(http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/1739586,CST-NWS-swine28.article)