J Natl Med Assoc
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Diversity is crucial in the medical field, where patients have a significantly wide range of ethnic and racial backgrounds. With the increase in diversity in medical school and the growing list of subspecialties in medicine, we would expect to see a rise in diversity in the field of anesthesiology. The purpose of this study is to analyze the representation of gender and underrepresented minorities in anesthesiology residency programs from 2013 through 2019. ⋯ This study illustrates the disparity in the demographic composition of anesthesiology trainees and emphasizes the importance of having a more diverse workforce in the field of anesthesiology.
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Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In established T1D patients, DKA is frequently a result of insulin omission or inadequate insulin administration during illness or stress. Ethnic minorities and patients with lower socioeconomic status are affected disproportionately. We hypothesized that implementation of intensive sick day rules with frequent reinforcement would reduce hospitalizations secondary to DKA in T1D youth irrespective of their demographics. ⋯ Implementation of intensive sick day rules led to a decrease in total number of DKA admissions in our population with T1D youth. However, this intervention did not reduce the health disparity in this population and African-Americans on Medicaid insurance continued to form the disproportionate majority of admissions with DKA. This study highlights the need for further research into interventions that can improve outcomes across racial and socio-economic barriers.
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To determine racial differences in intensive care unit (ICU) mortality outcomes among mechanically ventilated patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in a safety net hospital. ⋯ Our study demonstrated a high ICU mortality rate in a cohort of mechanically ventilated patients with severe COVID-19 infection treated at a safety net hospital. African Americans and Hispanics had significantly higher risks of ICU mortality compared to Whites. These study findings further elucidate the disproportionately higher burden of COVID-19 infection in African Americans and Hispanics.
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Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is an aggressive subtype of cutaneous malignant melanomas that accounts for 50-80% of melanomas in ethnic minorities. Studies on the genetic profile of these tumors largely result from cohorts in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, few inclusive of Black patients. ⋯ Response to targeted and immunologic therapies in ALM patients was overwhelming poor, particularly in BRAF V600E-mutated tumors in contrast to the positive prognosis associated with BRAF V600E mutations in other advanced cutaneous melanoma subtypes.
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Recent reports indicate that African Americans have higher mortality rates from SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) compared to Caucasians, with more marked differences in the Midwest region of the US. This study was performed to study differences in COVID-19 related mortality and hospital length of stay (LOS) between African Americans and Caucasians in Midwest setting, and identify factors associated with mortality and LOS. ⋯ This study performed in Midwest setting in the US showed that race did not affect in-hospital mortality and LOS. Our analysis demonstrated new predictors of LOS.