Pandemic H1N1-Related ICU Rates According to Race/Ethnic Groups in Massachusetts

Unpublished statewide 2009 H1N1 epidemiological data suggests that rates of lab-confirmed H1N1-related hospitalization were three to four times higher in Black and Hispanic populations compared to White, non-Hispanic populations (Alfred DeMaria, MDPH, personal communication, 2010). There is an absence of socioeconomic data in most public health surveillance systems, and population-based statewide descriptions of H1N1-related hospitalizations according to race/ethnic group and SES have not been described.

Objective

1) Investigate 2009 H1N1-related ICU admissions in Massachusetts by race/ethnic group;

2) Investigate the association between ICU stay and race/ethnic group adjusted for socioeconomic status (SES).