78 COVID-19 Pandemic Did Not Exacerbate Racial Disparity in Incidence of Emergency Department Visits For Asthma Exacerbations

Abstract

Racial disparities between White and minority (non-White) asthmatics in the United States have long been documented before the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, minorities were also found to disproportionately bear the burden of COVID-19-related severe outcomes. The pandemic hastened the adoption of several health care system and societal changes, including expansion of telemedicine via video or phone visits, mask usage, social distancing, and remote work and schooling. These could be seen as protective to asthmatics via decreased exposure to respiratory pathogens, and increased provider access.