JAMA Network: Race-Specific and Race-Neutral Equations for Lung Function and Asthma Diagnosis in Black Children

February 2025

Use of the recently recommended race-neutral Global Lung Initiative (GLI) equation has been shown to generate decreased lung function measures in Black children and adults, highlighting earlier evidence of pulmonary disease. But until this study, the effect of the race-neutral equation on asthma detection and diagnosis in children was unknown. As the study abstract explains, in this cohort study of 1533 children who underwent spirometry, lung capacity and volume measurements in Black children were significantly lower using race-neutral equations compared with race-specific equations. The race-neutral equation also identified 2- to 4-fold more Black children with asthma or asthma symptoms as having reduced lung function, increasing the likelihood of further testing and asthma detection. These findings have significant clinical implications and further support the universal use of race-neutral equations to increase the likelihood of identifying reduced lung function and improving the detection of asthma.