Urban minority children with asthma: substantial morbidity, compromised quality and access to specialists, and the importance of poverty and specialty care.

Background: Asthma disproportionately affects minorities, but not enough is known about morbidity and specialist access in asthmatic minority children.

Objective: To examine asthma morbidity and access to specialty care in urban minority children.

Methods: A consecutive series was recruited in 2004-2007 of urban minority children 2 to 18 years old seen for asthma in four emergency departments (EDs) or admitted to a children's hospital.