J Natl Med Assoc
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Comparative Study
Colon cancer screening consultations may identify racial disparity in hypertension diagnosis and management.
There are significant health disparities between African Americans and whites in the United States. While colon cancer screening aids in decreasing the morbidity and mortality from colon cancer in African Americans, other health risks may also be identified during gastroenterology consultations. This study evaluated whether there is a disparity in the prevalence of hypertension and hypertension management in African Americans compared to whites who are referred for colon cancer screening consultations. ⋯ Six (14%) of the hypertensive white patients were never prescribed blood pressure medications. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of blood pressure control (p = 0.007) between African-American and white patients who were referred for colon cancer screening. Increased efforts are necessary to identify critical health concerns of all patients and to decrease health disparities between African Americans and whites in the United States.
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Previous studies have demonstrated that informed healthcare providers could increase patient willingness to donate. We assessed medical students' knowledge and attitudes to determine their preparedness to encourage organ donation. ⋯ In this medical student cohort, minorities were less willing to donate. Three factors were associated with a decreased willingness to donate regardless of student race. Addressing these barriers may increase student donation willingness, and physicians should encourage donation discussions with their patients.
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Prostate cancer mortality disparities exist among racial/ethnic groups in the United States, yet few studies have explored the spatiotemporal trend of the disease burden. To better understand mortality disparities by geographic regions over time, the present study analyzed the geographic variations of prostate cancer mortality by three Texas racial/ethnic groups over a 22-year period. ⋯ Disparities in prostate cancer mortality among racial/ethnic groups existed in Texas. Central Texas counties with excess mortality in multiple subgroups warrant further investigation.