Journal of the Association for Academic Minority Physicians : the official publication of the Association for Academic Minority Physicians
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J Assoc Acad Minor Phys · Jan 1991
ReviewAnticholinergic bronchodilators in obstructive airway disease.
The appropriate use of anticholinergic bronchodilating agents in the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma is the subject of renewed academic interest. This article examines the physiology of airway function and the pharmacology of anticholinergic agents, and reviews the relevant clinical literature concerning the use of these agents for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma. It is suggested that anticholinergic bronchodilators are safe and effective as first-line therapy for COPD and should be considered as adjunctive therapy for asthma.
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Little progress has been made in increasing the number of minority faculty members at US medical schools. From 1975 through 1989, underrepresented minority medical faculty increased only 0.3%--from 2.7% to 3.0%. In the field of medicine in general, only 3% of physicians are African-American and 3% are Hispanic, while the African-American and Hispanic populations are approximately 12% and 7%, respectively, of the total US population. ⋯ Attention must focus on recruiting minority students into the scientific, academic professions if an increase is to occur in numbers of underrepresented minorities in all specialties of medicine. The Health Resources and Services Administration and private foundations have committed to providing funds to educational institutions to help encourage minority students to pursue academic careers. Leadership at these institutions must also commit to increasing the numbers of underrepresented minority faculty and senior administrators.