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Disparities in Health Care Prevalent Among Minorities

On July 2009 – almost two years ago – we published a report from the American Journal of Cardiology that showed that Hispanics have increased chances of lower quality bypass surgery. It seems that the disparities in health care between U.S. racial/ethnic groups have not been breached. Minority groups represent at least 28 percent of the U.S. population, and the percent is expected to nearly double by the year 2050 – increasing the need to close healthcare gaps.

Disparities in health care between racial/ethnic minorities and whites cross all aspects of stroke care, according to an American Heart Association/American Stroke Association scientific statement. The statement, published online in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, is a comprehensive analysis of the role of race and ethnicity in stroke care and its impact on the numbers of people who have a stroke, live with its effects or die among minority groups compared to whites. It also addresses how access to care, response to treatment and participation in clinical research affects these groups.

Disparities in Health Care Still Prevalent Among Minorities

“We see disparities in every aspect of stroke care, from lack of awareness of stroke risk factors and symptoms to delayed arrival to the emergency room and increased waiting time,” said Salvador Cruz-Flores, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the statement and professor of neurology and director of the Souers Stroke Institute at St. Louis University in Missouri. “These disparities continue throughout the spectrum of the delivery of care from acute treatment to rehabilitation.”

Disparities in Health Care Prevalent Among Minorities

Disparities in Health Care Prevalent Among Minorities

Experts in different areas of stroke care analyzed the issue of racial and ethnic disparities in current scientific literature. Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Native-Americans constitute 28 percent of the U.S. population. Because that is expected to almost double by the year 2050, “there is an increasing need to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care,” the authors said.

The review also included Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders.

The burden of risk factors is different among racial and ethnic groups according to the statement. For example, African-Americans have a high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and obesity as well as other risk factors for stroke, while Hispanic-Americans have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and diabetes compared to whites and African-Americans. The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that include three or more of the following: elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, reduced good cholesterol, elevated blood pressure and elevated fasting glucose.

Other factors that impact these disparities range from economic and social issues to cultural and language barriers. In addition, attitudes, beliefs and compliance among populations differ and the perceived or true presence of racial bias within the healthcare system can negatively impact a patient’s compliance with a healthcare provider’s advice, medications or treatment, according to the statement.

“It is important for members of ethnic and racial minority groups to understand they are particularly predisposed to have risk factors for heart disease and stroke,” Cruz-Flores said. “They need to understand these diseases are preventable and treatable.”

Educating the public and healthcare community can improve stroke care for minorities, he said.

Some of the statement recommendations include:

  • Development of public health policies to close the gap between minorities and whites in all aspects of stroke prevention, incidence and care;
  • More education and research to reduce disparities in stroke care;
  • Increased access to insurance coverage in minority populations; and
  • More research on American Indians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

“It is striking that we are in the 21st century, with many advances in stroke care, yet we are still struggling to fix the differences that are present not only in the distribution of the disease but also in the level of care we provide to the different racial and ethnic groups,” Cruz-Flores said.

Co-writers are Alejandro A. Rabinstein, M.D.; Jose Biller, M.D.; Mitchell S.V. Elkind, M.D.; Patrick Griffin, M.D.; Philip B. Gorelick, M.D.; George Howard, DrPH; Enrique C. Leira, M.D.; Lewis B. Morgenstern, M.D., and representatives of the American Heart Association Stroke Council, Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, and Interdisciplinary Council on Quality of Care Outcomes in Research.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the association’s science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, is available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding

Source: Heart.org

Skills and strengths quote

Skills and strengths quote

Spanish speaking robot tells you how to take your meds!

Robot Speaks Many Languages – Improves Pharmacy Patient Outcomes

MISSION, Kan., June 8 /PRNewswire/ — Language is sometimes a barrier for patients when it comes to understanding instructions for taking medications. A prescription label language barrier increases the risk that a patient will use medication improperly and fail to obtain the benefit or suffer an adverse drug event.

Pills in Spanish! - Spanish speaking robot tells you how to take your meds!

Pills in Spanish! – Spanish speaking robot tells you how to take your meds!

ScriptPro robotic prescription dispensing systems incorporate technologies that translate medication instructions and drug auxiliary warnings, and print them on prescription labels in the preferred language of the patient. Languages covered include Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Thai and Maori, in addition to English.

Navarro Discount Pharmacies, Miami, FL, prints approximately 75% of their prescriptions in Spanish. The focus of the largest Hispanic owned chain in North America is to meet the needs of and provide customer service to the Hispanic community in and around Miami, according to Albert Garcia, Executive Vice President of Pharmacy for Navarro.

Garcia says that understanding the prescription information is vital to having a successful course of drug therapy, especially when the patient is ill or nervous about receiving directions from the prescribing physician. He adds, “Having the Sig and auxiliary label in Spanish increases compliance and reduces the chance of over/under utilization of the medication or performing an activity that might be detrimental to the patient’s health.”

Peter Koo, R.Ph. and owner of Starside Pharmacies, built his five pharmacies to focus on the Sino-American communities in the New York City area. ScriptPro robotic and workflow systems allow his pharmacies to print prescription labels in Mandarin Chinese for his customers. According to Koo, “There are many opportunities for pharmacies to provide distinctive and valuable services to patient populations that might otherwise be challenged by language barriers.” He also hires employees with strong linguistic skills.

10.05% of Hispanic Americans consider themselves lactose intolerant
Breaking Through the Mammography Controversy
Health Disparities Pose High Cost for American Economy, Researchers Say
Kids with Cancer
Hispanic Children In U.S. At Greater Risk For Obesity Than Other Ethnic/Racial Groups

Source: PRNewswire – ScriptPro

good things take time #lifequotes

good things take time

Disparities in Health Care Prevalent Among Minorities

On July 2009 – almost two years ago – we published a report from the American Journal of Cardiology that showed that Hispanics have increased chances of lower quality bypass surgery. It seems that the disparities in health care between U.S. racial/ethnic groups have not been breached. Minority groups represent at least 28 percent of the U.S. population, and the percent is expected to nearly double by the year 2050 – increasing the need to close healthcare gaps.

Disparities in health care between racial/ethnic minorities and whites cross all aspects of stroke care, according to an American Heart Association/American Stroke Association scientific statement. The statement, published online in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, is a comprehensive analysis of the role of race and ethnicity in stroke care and its impact on the numbers of people who have a stroke, live with its effects or die among minority groups compared to whites. It also addresses how access to care, response to treatment and participation in clinical research affects these groups.

Disparities in Health Care Still Prevalent Among Minorities

“We see disparities in every aspect of stroke care, from lack of awareness of stroke risk factors and symptoms to delayed arrival to the emergency room and increased waiting time,” said Salvador Cruz-Flores, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the statement and professor of neurology and director of the Souers Stroke Institute at St. Louis University in Missouri. “These disparities continue throughout the spectrum of the delivery of care from acute treatment to rehabilitation.”

Disparities in Health Care Prevalent Among Minorities

Disparities in Health Care Prevalent Among Minorities

Experts in different areas of stroke care analyzed the issue of racial and ethnic disparities in current scientific literature. Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Native-Americans constitute 28 percent of the U.S. population. Because that is expected to almost double by the year 2050, “there is an increasing need to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care,” the authors said.

The review also included Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders.

The burden of risk factors is different among racial and ethnic groups according to the statement. For example, African-Americans have a high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and obesity as well as other risk factors for stroke, while Hispanic-Americans have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and diabetes compared to whites and African-Americans. The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that include three or more of the following: elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, reduced good cholesterol, elevated blood pressure and elevated fasting glucose.

Other factors that impact these disparities range from economic and social issues to cultural and language barriers. In addition, attitudes, beliefs and compliance among populations differ and the perceived or true presence of racial bias within the healthcare system can negatively impact a patient’s compliance with a healthcare provider’s advice, medications or treatment, according to the statement.

“It is important for members of ethnic and racial minority groups to understand they are particularly predisposed to have risk factors for heart disease and stroke,” Cruz-Flores said. “They need to understand these diseases are preventable and treatable.”

Educating the public and healthcare community can improve stroke care for minorities, he said.

Some of the statement recommendations include:

  • Development of public health policies to close the gap between minorities and whites in all aspects of stroke prevention, incidence and care;
  • More education and research to reduce disparities in stroke care;
  • Increased access to insurance coverage in minority populations; and
  • More research on American Indians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

“It is striking that we are in the 21st century, with many advances in stroke care, yet we are still struggling to fix the differences that are present not only in the distribution of the disease but also in the level of care we provide to the different racial and ethnic groups,” Cruz-Flores said.

Co-writers are Alejandro A. Rabinstein, M.D.; Jose Biller, M.D.; Mitchell S.V. Elkind, M.D.; Patrick Griffin, M.D.; Philip B. Gorelick, M.D.; George Howard, DrPH; Enrique C. Leira, M.D.; Lewis B. Morgenstern, M.D., and representatives of the American Heart Association Stroke Council, Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, and Interdisciplinary Council on Quality of Care Outcomes in Research.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the association’s science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, is available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding

Source: Heart.org

Skills and strengths quote

Skills and strengths quote

Spanish speaking robot tells you how to take your meds!

Robot Speaks Many Languages – Improves Pharmacy Patient Outcomes

MISSION, Kan., June 8 /PRNewswire/ — Language is sometimes a barrier for patients when it comes to understanding instructions for taking medications. A prescription label language barrier increases the risk that a patient will use medication improperly and fail to obtain the benefit or suffer an adverse drug event.

Pills in Spanish! - Spanish speaking robot tells you how to take your meds!

Pills in Spanish! – Spanish speaking robot tells you how to take your meds!

ScriptPro robotic prescription dispensing systems incorporate technologies that translate medication instructions and drug auxiliary warnings, and print them on prescription labels in the preferred language of the patient. Languages covered include Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Thai and Maori, in addition to English.

Navarro Discount Pharmacies, Miami, FL, prints approximately 75% of their prescriptions in Spanish. The focus of the largest Hispanic owned chain in North America is to meet the needs of and provide customer service to the Hispanic community in and around Miami, according to Albert Garcia, Executive Vice President of Pharmacy for Navarro.

Garcia says that understanding the prescription information is vital to having a successful course of drug therapy, especially when the patient is ill or nervous about receiving directions from the prescribing physician. He adds, “Having the Sig and auxiliary label in Spanish increases compliance and reduces the chance of over/under utilization of the medication or performing an activity that might be detrimental to the patient’s health.”

Peter Koo, R.Ph. and owner of Starside Pharmacies, built his five pharmacies to focus on the Sino-American communities in the New York City area. ScriptPro robotic and workflow systems allow his pharmacies to print prescription labels in Mandarin Chinese for his customers. According to Koo, “There are many opportunities for pharmacies to provide distinctive and valuable services to patient populations that might otherwise be challenged by language barriers.” He also hires employees with strong linguistic skills.

10.05% of Hispanic Americans consider themselves lactose intolerant
Breaking Through the Mammography Controversy
Health Disparities Pose High Cost for American Economy, Researchers Say
Kids with Cancer
Hispanic Children In U.S. At Greater Risk For Obesity Than Other Ethnic/Racial Groups

Source: PRNewswire – ScriptPro

good things take time #lifequotes

good things take time