Asthma-Related ED Visits Among Children in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Associated Factors Using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), 2006-2020.

Background Asthma remains a leading cause of ED visits among children in the United States. Despite clinical advancements, disparities in asthma care and control persist, particularly among socioeconomically and racially marginalized populations. Objective This study examines trends and sociodemographic factors associated with asthma-related ED visits in children using data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2006 to 2020. Method To achieve the study objective, we analyzed pediatric ED visit data (ages 0-17) from NHAMCS (2006-2020), applying survey weights to account for the complex sampling design. Descriptive statistics compared children with and without asthma-related ED visits. Logistic regression identified associations between asthma-related visits and demographic variables, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors (ambulance arrival and insurance type). Results The findings indicated that asthma-related visits showed no significant decline over the study period. Medicaid insurance was associated with higher odds of asthma-related visits, while uninsured children were underrepresented. Non-Hispanic Black children (OR = 5.36; 95% CI: 1.59-18.02) and non-Hispanic "Other" children (OR = 54.93; 95% CI: 10.87-277.63) had significantly higher odds compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Gender disparities favored males in asthma-related visits, and ambulance use did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion Asthma-related ED visits in children remain prevalent and unequally distributed across racial and socioeconomic lines. These disparities emphasize the need for targeted, equity-driven interventions to strengthen outpatient asthma management and reduce reliance on emergency care.