Clinics in chest medicine
-
Disparities in critical illness are evident in a variety of racial and ethnic groups. Most data available in the literature reflect variations in the incidence, presentation, diagnosis,treatment, and outcomes between African Americans and whites. ⋯ Data are significantly lacking delineating the reasons for disparities in the critically ill. Further re-search is required to elucidate the root causes for racial or ethnic differences, provide adequate education for health care providers, and develop and implement evidence-based interventions targeted for specific patient groups.
-
Clinics in chest medicine · Sep 2006
ReviewLung cancer disparities in African Americans: health versus health care.
African Americans with lung cancer have disproportionately worse outcomes than other ethnic groups. The incidence of lung cancer in blacks has remained well above the rates seen for the general population and the 5-year and overall survival rates for blacks with lung cancer are among the lowest of all racial groups. ⋯ Other stu-dies, however, have identified additional factors related to risks for poor outcomes in blacks with lung cancer. This article reviews data on these risks and their relationships to the health and health care of African Americans with lung cancer.
-
Clinics in chest medicine · Sep 2006
ReviewCOPD: racial disparities in susceptibility, treatment, and outcomes.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and mortality continues to increase particularly among African Americans. Although this increase may be caused by changing smoking habits, some studies suggest that African Americans may be more susceptible to tobacco smoke than whites. Unlike other respiratory diseases for which there are significant published data on racial and ethnic disparities in disease outcomes, such information is notably lacking in the COPD literature. This article examines the available data concerning racial disparities in COPD susceptibility and care.