J Natl Med Assoc
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The perception among healthcare workers is that the Indian tribal (indigenous) population are less affected by diabetes. This paper reports the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and its associated factors among tribal populations from six districts across India. ⋯ The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among the Indian tribal population reported in this study is less than the national average of 7.3% for the general population. Hypertension and obesity were the major risk factors. Due to changing behavioural patterns, including dietary behaviour, there is likely to be an increase in the prevalence of hypertension and obesity, which further leads to increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Hence, appropriate interventions are to be initiated by the primary healthcare system.
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In this original research we present new emerging data in COVID-19 that create urgent challenges for health providers in prevention and treatment. Health providers should be aware that COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have increased markedly in August 2023. Further, recent data demonstrate a new emerging strain resistant to prior natural and vaccine immunity. ⋯ In the meanwhile, all members of the US population regardless of previous natural infection, vaccines, or boosters are equally susceptible. At present, health providers should counsel all their patients about masking, social distancing, and avoiding crowds, especially indoors where regions of extreme weather conditions are keeping people indoors in closed quarters. In the treatment of COVID-19 the major clinical challenge to health providers, especially in their Black patients, is to prescribe Paxlovid during the first 5 days after onset of symptoms and a positive test.
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Pregnancy and lactation are special life stages that require regular nutritional and medical attention to help protect the health of the mother and promote the growth and development of the offspring. Despite an increased focus on maternal and fetal health over the last several decades, the rates of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality are increasing in the United States (US). On average, Black women who are pregnant or lactating face greater health disparities and birth complications than other racial/ethnic groups in the US. ⋯ However, the vast majority of Black women in the US are falling short of these recommendations and are not meeting nutrient requirements for calcium and vitamin D. Therefore, strategies that target misconceptions surrounding lactose intolerance and focus on the health value of adequate dairy intake among Black women of child-bearing age may benefit both prenatal and postpartum health. This review presents the current evidence on health disparities faced by pregnant and lactating Black women in the US, and the role of dairy foods in supporting healthy pregnancy, fetal development, and lactation outcomes in this population.
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Review
A systematic review of barriers to pursuing careers in medicine among Black premedical students.
Among the various etiologies of the exclusion of Black male physicians from the healthcare workforce, it is critical to identify and examine the barriers in their trajectory. Given that most medical school matriculants graduate and pursue residency training, medical school admission has been identified as the primary impediment to a career in medicine. Thus, this work aims to identify barriers in the journey of primarily Black, and secondarily underrepresented minority, premedical students. ⋯ There is a dearth of studies exploring the premedical stage-the penultimate point of entry into medicine. Though interest in becoming a physician may be present, multiple and disparate impediments restrict Black men's participation in medicine. Addressing the barriers Black and underrepresented minority premedical students face requires an awareness of how multiple systems work together to discriminate and restrict access to careers in medicine beyond the traditional pipeline understanding.
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The adult life stage encompasses a range of new experiences, opportunities, and responsibilities that impact health and well-being. During this life stage, health disparities continue to increase for Black Americans, with Black adults having a disproportionate burden of obesity, chronic diseases, comorbidities, and worse treatment outcomes compared to their White peers. While many of the underlying factors for these disparities can be linked to longstanding sociopolitical factors such as systemic racism, food insecurity, and poor access to healthcare, there are also several modifiable risk factors that are known to significantly impact health outcomes, such as improving diet quality, increasing physical activity, and not smoking. ⋯ In addition to the number of daily servings consumed, the specific types (e.g., milk, yogurt, cheese) and subtypes (e.g., low-fat, fermented, fortified) consumed have also been shown to play major roles in how these foods impact health. For example, higher intake of fermented dairy foods (e.g., yogurt) and vitamin D fortified dairy products appear to have the most protective effects for reducing chronic disease risk. Along with lactose-free milk and cheese, yogurt is also generally low in lactose, making it an excellent option for individuals with lactose intolerance, who are trying to meet the DGA recommendations for dairy food intake.