• Aimee L Speck, Belinda Nelson, S Olivia Jefferson, and Alan P Baptist.
• Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: aleyton@med.umich.edu.
• Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2014 Jan 1; 112 (1): 35-9.

BackgroundAsthma is a common chronic condition that shows significant health disparities among minority populations. Little research has focused on the management needs and preferences of young African American adults with asthma, a population undergoing dramatic life changes as they transition from adolescence to adulthood.ObjectiveTo understand the experiences and perspectives of young African American adults managing their asthma.MethodsFocus groups were conducted with African American adults (n = 34) 18 to 30 years old with a physician diagnosis of asthma. Focus group sessions were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and coded using constant comparative analysis.ResultsSix major domains were identified and some of the salient themes included changes in asthma management needs with the onset of adulthood, career limitations owing to asthma, childcare interference with asthma regimen adherence, and difficulties with medication cost owing to lapses in insurance coverage. Participants also reported feeling discouraged when interacting with physicians as it related to their asthma care; yet ageism and racism were not perceived. Despite poor medication regimen compliance, participants were overwhelmingly interested in participating in asthma self-management programs and had strong preferences that such programs be tailored specifically to young adults with special consideration of the cultural experience of young African Americans with asthma.ConclusionYoung African American adults have specific barriers to optimal asthma care and distinctive ideas for self-management programs. It is important for the asthma care provider to identify and address these population- and age-specific barriers to improve asthma outcomes and decrease health care disparities.Copyright © 2014 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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