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In 2018, influenza and pneumonia was the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. Since 1950, non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) have experienced higher rates of mortality than non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). Previous studies have revealed geographic variation in mortality rates by race. The identification of areas with the greatest disparity in influenza and pneumonia mortality may assist policymakers in the allocation of resources, including for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. ⋯ In 1999 through 2018, the NHB-NHW disparity in AAMRs from influenza and pneumonia was greatest in central metropolitan areas of HHS regions 2 and 9.
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A 57-year-old man with a history of polysubstance use presented with shortness of breath, wheezing, productive cough, subjective fever, and chills of 3-day duration. Additionally, he reported worsening shortness of breath for the last 3 months. ⋯ He was also diagnosed several years prior with adult-onset asthma due to intermittent wheezing and was prescribed an albuterol inhaler. The albuterol did not help relieve his wheezing, and he stopped refilling it.