J Natl Med Assoc
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To address the historically low rate of minority participation in clinical trials, the NIH and others have provided incentives to increase the diversity of patients and study sites involved in NIH-funded research. An example of the efforts to achieve this aim was the creation of the Partnerships Program to Reduce Cardiovascular Health Disparities," whereby a health care system that serves a predominantly minority patient population partners with a research-intensive medical center that has a track record of NIH-supported research. In the city of Baltimore, Maryland, the Bon Secours Baltimore Health System partnered with the University of Maryland and was awarded 1 of 7 U01 partnerships within cardiovascular health. ⋯ Based upon the views of participating physicians, it is easiest to engage physicians when there is a supportive principal investigator and appropriate infrastructure to do research. Patient recruitment requires cultural competence and sensitivity, and using minority physicians, nurses, and staff may greatly assist in building the trust that is necessary for patients to be willing to participate in research. Clarity of the study's purpose and aims at the outset is critical, and reinforcement with educational sessions helped with physician and patient retention throughout the study.
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Obesity among children is rising at an alarming rate. This study examines pediatric emergency department visits for children aged 2 to 17 years to determine the prevalence of normal, overweight, and obesity as well as to characterize discharge diagnosis and level of service among the different groups. The electronic emergency department medical record and billing service data were used in the review process. ⋯ Rates of overweight and obesity in this predominately minority pediatric population were significantly greater than the published national rates. The impact of the epidemic of childhood obesity mandates the need for innovative strategies of weight control and reduction. Emergency departments routinely treat high-risk pediatric populations and can therefore serve as a resource for screening and early referral that has been previously untapped in combating childhood obesity.