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.