J Natl Med Assoc
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Our study aims to build on existing literature by assessing factors that may be associated with an increased risk of burnout amongst medical students, particularly students of color. ⋯ Although factors assessed during this study showed no significant effect, the data trends suggest that both women and Black students experienced higher rates of burnout. Further discussion regarding solutions to burnout is required in order to intervene early on in training for those at highest risk.
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Cervical cancer, a preventable cancer, has disproportionately affected African American women. To better understand the burden of cervical cancer, we assessed incidence and mortality rates and analyzed trends among non-Hispanic (NH) African American and White women in the US from 1999 to 2015. ⋯ NH African American women had significantly higher cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates than NH Whites. Even as incidence and mortality trends declined significantly, older NH African Americans had three times the rate of cervical cancer than NH Whites. Prevention and treatment programs need to be enhanced for African Americans as failure to do so may widen cancer disparities.
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Dimensions of HIV Stigma perceptions have not been examined in medical providers in the southern U.S. This study examined the prediction of HIV knowledge on multiple dimensions of stigma beliefs. ⋯ The relatively low knowledge score and link between knowledge and stigma beliefs indicated a need for continued basic HIV education. Increased education around HIV risk is critical in the eradication of HIV given the link between high stereotyping beliefs and low testing rate.
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The indelible impacts on our nation from the Coronavirus pandemic along with high fatality rates that disproportionately burden racial and ethnic minorities necessitate long-term coordinated federal, state and local action to improve critical determinants of population health, specifically important health and public health infrastructures as well as emergency and disaster preparedness systems. While our purview as the new pandemic epicenter should be a sufficient driver, coordinated health professionals bringing thoughtful attention to our historical context may be warranted. Prompting our advocacy should be the reality that our collective ability to rebound from such crises may ultimately hinge on protecting and equipping our most vulnerable racial-ethnic minority groups and any susceptible individuals within those populations. ⋯ Nevertheless, we remain supportive allies of all organizations concerned with communities who suffer the weight of this pandemic and any future world health disasters. What is additionally needed is a thoughtful unification of efforts and a commitment to sustained progress with measurable results for as long as the need exists and certainly for the foreseeable future. Let us as humane clinicians and public health professionals capture this moment of challenge and follow through on this urgent call to action.
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Influenza is a contagious respiratory virus that causes a significant annual health burden in the United States (US). In spite of effective yearly vaccinations to protect individuals against influenza-related health complications, especially with certain chronic co-morbid illnesses, persistent racial/ethnic disparities exist in influenza immunization. African Americans continue to experience low vaccination uptake, stemming, at least in part, from years of bias in and mistrust of orthodox medicine, safety concerns, and environmental barriers to vaccine access. ⋯ These two respiratory-borne virus' cause disparate effects in the black community, unmasking persistent disparities in healthcare. Unfortunately, suboptimal influenza immunization acceptance exacerbates flu-related adverse health outcomes, similar to difficulties from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In consideration of the impending influenza-COVID-19 "twindemic", robust educational campaigns, policy initiatives, and novel approaches to influenza immunization must be considered for the African American community to build trust in the health benefits of the influenza vaccination and, ultimately, to trust in the health benefits of potential SARS-CoV2 vaccines, when available for the general public.