The Laryngoscope
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Review Comparative Study
Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in the prevalence and treatment of otitis media in children in the United States.
Although racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in child health are prevalent, little is known about them within common pediatric otolaryngic problems. Otitis media (OM) is a frequent diagnosis in children, and tympanostomy tube placement is the most common surgical treatment for OM. We sought to identify current knowledge regarding racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in children with OM or tympanostomy tube placement. ⋯ Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities exist for the prevalence and treatment of children with OM. Socioeconomic deprivation increases the risk of OM in children. Despite the frequency of tympanostomy tube insertion in children in the United States, few studies have addressed inequalities in access or utilization of surgical therapy. Given the changing healthcare climate and the social and economic impact of OM in children, further investigation of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities targeting access to surgical treatment of OM should take precedence in health services research.