Cluster Analysis and Cluster Ranking for Asthma Inpatient Hospitalizations Among Children, Adolescents, and Adults Aged 0 to 19 Years in Cook County, Illinois, 2011–2014

• Authors: Katie Labgold, Emory University; Amanda C Bennett, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta; Kristen M Wells, University of Virginia
• Journal Title: Preventing Chronic Disease
• Volume: Volume 17
• Publisher: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion | 2020-01-16
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.190265
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology
• Keywords: Children; Adolescents; Cluster Analysis

Abstract

Asthma is one of the top 5 principal diagnoses for inpatient hospitalizations among children and adolescents aged 1 to 17 years in the United States (1). Inpatient hospitalizations are used as a marker for severe asthma symptoms, suggesting poor management of disease and limited access to routine care (2). Preventing adverse childhood asthma outcomes is a priority of the Illinois Department of Public Health in collaboration with community and university partners (3). To understand the burden of asthma among young people in the greater Chicago (Cook County) area, we mapped crude rates of asthma inpatient hospitalizations among children, adolescents, and young adults aged 0 to 19 years, by zip code, in Cook County, Illinois, during 2011–2014. Additionally, we performed a cluster analysis to identify neighborhoods with high rates of asthma inpatient hospitalizations.