J Natl Med Assoc
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COVID-19 has been a devastating disease, especially in underserved communities. Data has shown that Indigenous peoples, Latinx communities, and Black Americans have a 3.3, 2.4, and 2 times higher mortality rate than White communities, respectively, due to COVID-19. ⋯ Studies showed that identifying with a racial/ethnic minority, being homeless, housing insecurity, lower household median income, and living in an area with decreased air quality were associated with higher incidence and mortality from COVID-19. Analyses of these studies also showed a lack of resources to collect patients' social determinants of health, revealing an urgent need to create databases with information on local support programs and operationalize the referral and tracking outcomes to address the health inequities for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities.
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A growing number of ethnic minority populations in the United States are from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, specifically Lebanon. This region is witnessing one of the highest expected increases in diabetes prevalence. However, limited data exists on how social determinants of health impact clinical care for diabetes in this population. The aim of this study was to assess the social determinants of health and their impact on clinical outcomes in Lebanese adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). ⋯ This is the first study to examine the relationship between social determinants of health and clinical outcomes for diabetes in the MENA region. Our findings suggest that living in an underprivileged neighborhood and built environment was significantly and independently associated with poor clinical outcomes among adults with T2DM in Lebanon. Findings from this study will inform care for immigrant populations with diabetes from the MENA region.
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Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a spiral-shaped gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa. It is a common infectious agent in children. In this study, we aim to evaluate the demographic data, and the clinical and histopathological findings of pediatric patients that underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGSE) in our clinic. ⋯ Nodular antral gastritis is caused by chronic H. pylori infection. It is predicted that early detection of H. pylori infection in children is important and may decrease complications later in life. Our study shows that all the markers evaluated are very good predictors of H. pylori infection. Positive significant association was found between the prevalence of H. pylori infection and nodular antral gastritis.
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In the United States (US), dermatology remains one of the least diverse specialties in medicine. Increasing the diversity of the dermatology workforce is essential for reducing health disparities. ⋯ A holistic review of dermatology applicants by residency programs may reduce racial/ethnic disparities in the admission process. Our data provide further evidence in support of pre-medical outreach programs, mentorship, and institutional funding to promote diversity in dermatology.
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The hypothesis that marijuana availability reduces opioid mortality merits more complete testing, especially in a country with the world's highest opioid death rate and 2nd highest cannabis-use-disorder prevalence. ⋯ Instead of supporting the marijuana protection hypothesis, ecologic associations at the national level suggest that marijuana legalization has contributed to the U.S.'s opioid epidemic in all major races/ethnicities, and especially in blacks. If so, the increased use of marijuana during the 2020-2022 pandemic may thereby worsen the country's opioid crisis.