Black children in poor areas less likely to get bystander CPR

By 91ÊÓƵ News

Instructor and kids performing CPR
(FatCamera)

African American children who live in poor neighborhoods are significantly less likely to receive bystander CPR during a cardiac arrest than white children, a new study says.

The results show a critical need to teach CPR in low-income, non-white, lower-education neighborhoods, said lead investigator Dr. Maryam Naim in a .

"As most bystander CPR is provided by family members, lower response rates are likely due to a lack of CPR training and recognition of cardiac arrests," said Naim, a pediatric cardiac intensive care physician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Earlier studies have examined bystander CPR rates in adults, but this is the first time researchers analyzed racial and socioeconomic factors in CPR rates for children in the United States. The study was published Wednesday in the .

Investigators at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia examined data from 7,086 children who had non-traumatic cardiac arrests outside a hospital from 2013 to 2017. Overall, 48% of those children received bystander CPR.

Compared to white children, bystander CPR was 41% less likely for black kids, 22% less likely for Hispanics and 6% less likely for other ethnic groups.

Black children living in mostly black neighborhoods with high unemployment, low education and low median income were almost half as likely to receive bystander CPR compared to white children – 32.1% compared to 59.7%.

In 2017, the researchers published initial data from the study and found lower bystander CPR rates in black and Hispanic children compared to white children. But Naim said researchers at the time weren't sure whether that was entirely because of racial disparities or if socioeconomics also played a role.

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


91ÊÓƵ News Stories

91ÊÓƵ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in 91ÊÓƵ News stories reflect the official position of the 91ÊÓƵ. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in 91ÊÓƵ scientific journals or presented at 91ÊÓƵ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the 91ÊÓƵ’s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the 91ÊÓƵ, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to 91ÊÓƵ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the 91ÊÓƵ’s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.