Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities
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J Racial Ethn Health Disparities · Dec 2016
Racial Disparities in Cranial Gunshot Wounds: Intent and Survival.
Gunshot wounds (GSW) to the head are associated with the highest mortality of all gun-related injuries, with assault reported as the leading cause of penetrating GSW. Several studies have explored factors and trends related to assault and self-inflicted GSW separately. The aim of this study was to investigate epidemiological characteristics and racial differences collectively in patients with GSW to the head by examining associations to injury intent and survival. ⋯ This study reports that there are racial disparities between assault GSW and self-inflicted GSW. However, neither race nor intent is a predictor of survival outcome. Targeted efforts are needed to reduce occurrence of cranial GSW events in order to decrease associated morbidity and mortality.
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J Racial Ethn Health Disparities · Sep 2016
Neighborhood Disadvantage and Cumulative Biological Risk Among a Socioeconomically Diverse Sample of African American Adults: An Examination in the Jackson Heart Study.
Neighborhoods characterized by disadvantage influence multiple risk factors for chronic disease and are considered potential drivers of racial and ethnic health inequities in the USA. The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and cumulative biological risk (CBR) and the extent to which the association differs by individual income and education among a large, socioeconomically diverse sample of African American adults. ⋯ Disadvantaged neighborhoods contribute to poor health among African American adults via cumulative biological risk. Policies directly addressing the socioeconomic conditions of these environments should be considered as viable options to reduce disease risk in this group and mitigate racial/ethnic health inequities.
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J Racial Ethn Health Disparities · Jun 2016
Medical Students' Experiences and Perspectives on Interpreting for LEP Patients at Two US Medical Schools.
Language concordance between patient and provider has been shown to improve health outcomes for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients. However, health care teams often use available ad hoc interpreters without knowing whether their language skills are adequate. Little is known about the role of medical students working as ad hoc interpreters. ⋯ Medical schools and health care institutions should establish guidelines for students who identify as fluent in another language and are interested in interpreting for LEP patients in clinical settings, to protect both students and patients when language poses a barrier to quality care.
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J Racial Ethn Health Disparities · Mar 2016
Racial Differences in Chronic Pain and Quality of Life among Adolescents and Young Adults with Moderate or Severe Hemophilia.
We explored racial differences in adherence to recommended clotting factor treatment regimens, chronic pain, and quality of life (QoL) among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with moderate or severe hemophilia. ⋯ Targeted efforts to prevent and manage chronic pain among non-white AYAs with moderate or severe hemophilia are necessary. After accounting for demographic and clinical differences, there were no racial differences in adherence to recommended clotting factor treatment regimens; however, non-whites were more than five times more likely to report high levels of chronic pain, which predicted worse overall physical QoL, bodily pain, physical and social functioning, and greater role limitations due to physical health.
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J Racial Ethn Health Disparities · Dec 2015
ReviewRacial and Ethnic Disparities in Adverse Drug Events: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
The 2014 National Action Plan for Adverse Drug Event Prevention has recognized adverse drug events (ADEs) as a national priority in order to facilitate a nationwide reduction in patient harms from these events. Throughout this effort, it will be integral to identify populations that may be at particular risk in order to improve care for these patients. We have undertaken a systematic review to evaluate the evidence regarding racial or ethnic disparities in ADEs with particular emphasis on anticoagulants, diabetes agents, and opioids due to the clinical significance and preventability of ADEs associated with these medication classes. ⋯ Whites were most frequently identified as at increased risk for opioid-related ADEs. However, few of these studies were specifically designed to evaluate racial or ethnic disparities, lacking a standardized approach to racial/ethnic categorization as well as control for potential confounders. We suggest the need for targeted interventions to reduce ADEs in populations that may be at increased risk, and we suggest strategies for future research.