J Natl Med Assoc
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Suicides are among the leading causes of death in elderly Americans. The problem is expected to grow with an aging population in the U. S. ⋯ This article enumerates the risk factors for suicidal behaviors in elderly African-Americans; presents an epidemiological assessment of suicides in elderly African-Americans from 2010 to 2018 with gender-specific differences, and explores public health considerations for helping to reduce the growing numbers of suicides in elderly African-Americans. Currently, there are very limited evidence-based interventions to reduce or prevent suicides in older African-Americans. This article also provides implications and recommendations for prevention practice and research that is needed to help alleviate suicides in older African-Americans.
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Healthcare disparities negatively impact patient health outcomes; addressing disparities could improve quality of life and decrease overall healthcare cost. The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) is an objective and reliable source for collecting information on United States (U.S.) ambulatory medical care service visits and may be a useful tool for identifying potential disparities in care. ⋯ NAMCS may be an underused tool given the limited number of articles that identify health disparities using it. Research studies utilizing NAMCS may identify potential disparities ultimately leading to better healthcare outcomes.
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There have been ongoing efforts to increase the presence of underrepresented minorities in medicine (URMM), including faculty development initiatives, mentoring programs and outreach efforts. However, URMM faculty face unique challenges that are crucial for academic institutions and leaders to recognize in order to improve retention of this group and allow for meaningful advancement in the field. This paper introduces the concept of gate blocking, defined as what happens to minority faculty as a result of the consequences of the minority tax and systems designed to advantage some and disadvantage others. In addition to defining gate blocking, the authors make recommendations to address this concern in academic medicine and promote the advancement and retention of URMM faculty.
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Diversity in the workplace is crucial. As the United States population continues to diversify, the composition of graduate medical trainees (GMTs) among various medical specialties is not diversifying at nearly the same rate. This study aims to identify gender and ethnic minority disparities present in medicine, specifically among GMTs in the field of plastic surgery. ⋯ This study portrays the importance of highlighting gender and ethnic minority disparities in the field of plastic surgery, thereby promoting initiatives for change in the coming future.