JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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Comparative Study
Lipid and lipoprotein distributions in black adults. The Cincinnati Lipid Research Clinic's Princeton School Study.
To provide population data on levels of plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and high- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C) in black adults, 627 black adults, aged 20 to 59 years, 206 men and 421 women, were studied in the Cincinnati Lipid Research Clinic's Princeton School Study. Comparisons were made with 2,493 white adults, aged 20 to 59 years, 1,111 men and 1,382 women, from the Princeton School Study. Black men had total plasma cholesterol levels that were comparable with those in whites; plasma cholesterol levels were higher in black than white women. ⋯ Black women not taking exogenous sex steroid hormones had higher total cholesterol and HDL-C levels, and lower triglyceride and LDL-C levels than white women not taking exogenous sex steroid hormones. Black women taking exogenous sex steroid hormones had lower plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels and slightly higher HDL-C and lower LDL-C levels than white women taking exogenous sex steroid hormones. These differences not only require the use of race-specific lipoprotein distribution tables for characterization of individual subjects, but are consistent with putatively reduced risk for coronary heart disease in blacks when compared with whites.
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Chairpersons of departments of medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine were sent a questionnaire to determine their experience with, and attitude toward, medical sociology. The results showed that between 40% and 50% of medical students are taught medical sociology during their preclinical years, usually by several departments. ⋯ A similar gradient was evident in commitment of departmental resources and enthusiasm for the subject. In general, departments of medicine held a negative attitude toward medical sociology, while departments of family medicine thought the subject was important and worthwhile.