Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Environmental Respiratory Allergies Among Cancer Patients: National Health Interview Survey Analysis

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine

DOI

10.1080/17476348.2026.2670015

Abstract

Background: Environmental respiratory allergies (ERA) can worsen the quality of life of cancer patients. This study examined the prevalence, association, and racial/ethnic disparities in ERA diagnosis among cancer patients in the United States. Methods: We analyzed a retrospective cross-sectional dataset from the National Health Interview Survey (2021) involving weighted samples of 1,879 U.S. adults aged ≥18 years. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted, adjusting for covariates. Results: The prevalence rate of ERA among cancer patients was 55.5%, with a significant difference among race/ethnicity. Non-Hispanic other/Multiracial had the highest prevalence of ERA (83.1%), followed by non-Hispanic Asians (68.2%), and non-Hispanic Black/African American (65.2%). Non-Hispanic Other/Multiracial cancer patients had significantly higher odds of ERA compared to non-Hispanic Whites in sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and fully adjusted models, respectively. Similarly, Non-Hispanic Blacks/African Americans had increased odds of ERA compared to non-Hispanic Whites (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.00–2.56) after adjusting for education and health insurance. Additionally, race/ethnic minority cancer patients were 1.22 times more likely to be at risk of ERA than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that racial/ethnic disparities exist in ERA diagnosis among cancer patients. Therefore, targeted interventions aimed at addressing these disparities can help improve the quality of life for cancer patients.

Keywords

cancer, Environmental respiratory allergies, health disparities, health equity in respiratory medicine, race/ethnicity

Department

Applied Data Science

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