J Natl Med Assoc
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The purpose of this review is to describe the demographics (age, gender, race and iris color) of subjects enrolled in clinical trials supportive of approved New Molecular Entities (NMEs) in ophthalmology over the last 10 years (2006-2016). ⋯ All NMEs have publicly available data on the race, gender and age of clinical trial participants. Women and white subjects comprise a majority of clinical trial participants (68% and 92%, respectively). FDA analyses on all 9 NMEs did not find any differences across age, gender, race, or iris color subgroups.
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Black Americans have the highest rate of lung cancer mortality, due to being diagnosed at later stage. Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) facilitates earlier detection and has been associated with a reduction in cancer death. We investigated LCS utilization and explored racial disparities (Black vs. non-Black) in LCS among patients for whom LCS is clinically indicated. ⋯ LCS utilization is low despite coverage provided through the Affordable Care Act. Black patients are less likely to qualify for screening and disproportionately less likely to be screened for lung cancer compared with non-Black patients. Targeted intervention strategies are needed to increase referral for and uptake of LCS in patients who are at high risk for developing lung cancer, and for Black patients in particular.
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National PrEP utilization analyses show US non-Hispanic Blacks accessing PrEP at disproportionately low rates given the higher HIV prevalence among Blacks, and in comparison to utilization by non-Hispanic Whites. Women also are underrepresented among PrEP utilizers, especially Black women. We examine the process of accessing PrEP for a majority Black population in an urban community health center setting. ⋯ In a diverse cohort in a community health center setting, myriad barriers resulted in a 14% initiation rate for persons at elevated risk for HIV who were referred for PrEP. These barriers led to disproportionately fewer non-Hispanic Blacks and women initiating PrEP. Efforts to better engage Blacks and women in PrEP care are urgently needed, and may include better dissemination of PrEP-related information in Black communities and to women, and training of clinicians serving Black and female populations to improve competency in provision of PrEP care.
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Cross cultural mentoring for underrepresented minority in medicine (URMM) students has increased significance. It is especially important for non-URMM faculty and others from different backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures to know how to provide mentorship for URMM student success. This article provides approaches to mentorship for URMM students. Recommendations include mentoring around scholarly projects, identifying mentorship role, acknowledging personal attributes for mentoring, addressing racism, stereotypes and bias, collaborating with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and being attentive to the unique needs of URMM students.
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Racial bias is associated with suboptimal healthcare treatment for minorities. Research focuses on bias among physicians rather than non-physician healthcare staff (e.g., receptionists). Patients spend considerable amounts of time with non-physician staff. Therefore, we investigate differences in implicit and explicit racial bias by healthcare staff race and occupation using the Implicit Association Test and Modern Racism Scale, respectively. ⋯ Non-MD/RNs should not be overlooked for cultural competency training, and efforts are needed to reduce racial bias among healthcare workers identified as having higher levels of bias.