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For Immediate Release                                                  Contacts: David Irwin (312) 458-3621

Tuesday, November 18, 2008                                                      Gerardo Cardenas (312) 458-3609

 

Immunization Rates Lag in Older African-American and Hispanic Populations, AARP Report Finds

 

Over 50% Skip Shots For Nation’s 8^th Leading Cause of Death Chicago Community Initiatives Move to Buck National Trend

 

CHICAGO , Illinois - With more than half of older African-American and Hispanics skipping their immunization shots, the groups increase exposure to the eighth leading cause of death in the nation.  A new report issued by AARP’s Public Policy Institute highlights the impact of low vaccination rates for influenza and pneumonia among the populations, finding rates for these groups lag significantly behind whites. 

 

According to the report, two-thirds of white adults age 65 and older reported receiving the flu vaccine in 2006.  In the same year, less than half of blacks (47%) and Hispanics (45%) received the flu vaccine.  The disparity is even greater for pneumococcal vaccine with 62 percent of older whites receiving the vaccine, compared to only 36 percent of blacks and 33 percent of Hispanics.

 

Chicago is cited in the report for its efforts in providing increased access to immunizations in high-risk communities.  During flu season, the Chicago Department of Public Health runs faith-based vaccine clinics, promoting vaccine use in targeted communities.  In the 2007-2008 flu season, 16,000 vaccines were administered as part of the program – with the greatest success in the Hispanic community; vaccinations in African-American communities are also on the rise. 

 

“It’s tragic that America loses so many lives each year to preventable diseases,” said Robert Gallo, Senior State Director for AARP in Illinois.  “Even more alarming are the drastic ethnic and racial disparities that exist in immunization rates – AARP commends Chicago’s efforts to address this.” 

 

The study notes immunization disparities result in hospitalizations and deaths that would otherwise have been preventable. The journal Preventative Medicine found 1,880 deaths could be prevented every year if flu immunizations rates were equal for all races, while if all racial groups reached 90 percent flu vaccination, 15,590 deaths could be prevented annually.

Together, influenza and pneumonia represent the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, despite the availability of annual flu shots and the one-time pneumococcal vaccination.  Both flu and pneumonia vaccination are available at no cost to people in Medicare.

 

Those age 65 and older are especially susceptible to complications associated with the flu and pneumonia because both diseases exacerbate underlying chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma.  The flu is responsible for approximately 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year in the U.S.

 

“We know that minority groups often experience more medical consequences from influenza. One example is Hispanics 65 years of age and older often suffer from more chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which makes them more susceptible to flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death,” said Dr. Jeanne Santoli of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

AARP has joined with the CDC, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and others in the medical community to urge every 50-plus American to get a flu shot and to urge those ages 65 and older to also get a pneumococcal vaccination.  For information on where to find a flu shot clinic near you, visit http://www.aarp.org/flu or call 1-800-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277).

 

AARP’s report on immunization disparities is available at: http://www.aarp.org/research/medicare/coverage/i12_flu.html.

 

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.  We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org.  AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors.  We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.