J Natl Med Assoc
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Comparative Study
Racial Disparities in Adult Pneumococcal Vaccination Indications and Pneumococcal Hospitalizations in the U.S.
Racial disparities in U.S. adult pneumococcal vaccination rates persist despite reduced barriers to access. Consequently, racial and ethnic minorities experience pneumococcal disease at higher rates than whites. This study examined prevalence of high-risk conditions and pneumococcal hospitalizations among U.S. black and non-black populations aged ≥50 years. ⋯ Marked differences exist between U.S. black and non-black populations in likelihood of conditions conferring a high-risk of pneumococcal disease, and for length of stay and costs of pneumococcal disease hospitalizations. Further research is recommended to identify cost-effective policies or interventions to increase vaccine uptake in higher risk populations.
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We sought to correct a low interview rate for racial groups underrepresented in medicine (URM) by analyzing our interview selection process, identifying sources of unintended bias, and developing a new process that would provide a more racially diverse interview pool. ⋯ A comprehensive review of applications that minimizes emphasis on USMLE step 1 scores substantially reduced the difference between the percentages of URMs and those of other racial backgrounds who were offered interviews for a Neurology residency.
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The study objective was to identify biobehavioral variables associated with greater intake of nicotine and a tobacco carcinogen among Black light smokers who smoke 1 to 10 cigarettes per day (CPD). ⋯ Among Black Light smokers, higher cigarette consumption and greater physical dependence-but not rate of nicotine metabolism, menthol use, or socioeconomic status-were associated with greater toxicant exposure and thus a likely increased risk of tobacco-related diseases. The lack of data on light smokers, and specifically on Blacks, make this observation important given the disproportionate burden of lung cancer in this population.
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Increasing numbers of underrepresented in medicine minority (URMM) physicians has garnered increased attention. Pipeline programs aid this effort and are designed to expose learners to the healthcare experience and strengthen academic preparedness. This paper describes the clinical experiences of students who participated in a bridge to medical school Master's Degree pipeline program at a community based medical school. ⋯ The clinical preceptorship linked academic knowledge with clinical skills and provided an avenue for learning about health disparities and patient advocacy for underserved patients. It also identified a need for increased exposure to underserved patient populations across medical specialties.
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Observational Study
Quality of Life Within Three Months After Stroke: A Study in the City of Arak, Iran.
The impact of stroke on quality of life (QoL) may be different in diverse societies because of varying availability and accessibility of health and social care services provided in various settings. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate changes in patients' QoL within three months after stroke and to address the research question; "What factors influence QoL after stroke in Iranian population?" ⋯ It was concluded that being older, having higher NIHSS score, suffering from hypertension, right side lesion and previous stroke could be significantly correlated with poor patients' QoL. Therefore, effective interventions focusing on older individuals especially those with more severe impairments were assumed to help in improving post-stroke QoL in patients; regardless of their gender, level of education, and social activities.