A Call to Action-The Need to Address Obesity in the Black Community.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Earles K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9908366 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
A Call to Action-The Need to Address Obesity in the Black Community.
Earles Kathi K Ard Jamy J Stanford Fatima Cody FC
Journal of the National Medical Association 20200428 3
Similar Datasets
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7836765 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThere is wide variation in the number and types of obesity policies enacted across states, and prior studies suggest that partisan factors may not fully explain this variation. In this exploratory analysis, we examined the association of a broad array of state-level factors with the number and types of obesity policies across states.DesignWe analyzed 32 predictor variables across 7 categories of state-level characteristics. We abstracted data from 1652 state obesity policies introduced during 2009-2014. We used multilevel regression models and principal component analysis to examine the association between state-level characteristics and policy outcomes.Main outcome measuresOur outcome measures included whether bills involved topics that were public health-oriented or business interest-oriented, whether bills were enacted into law, and the number of introduced bills and enacted laws per state.ResultsNumerous state-level characteristics were associated with obesity-related bill introduction and law enactment, and different state characteristics were associated with public health-oriented versus business interest-oriented policies. For example, state-level demographics, economic factors, policy environment, public programs, and the prevalence of obesity's downstream consequences were associated with the number of public health laws whereas obesity prevalence and policy environment were associated with the number of business interest laws.ConclusionsOur results support the hypothesis that a variety of factors contribute to a complex state obesity policymaking environment, highlighting the need for future research to disentangle these key predictors.
| S-EPMC7012724 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Many medical organizations have begun to confront the longstanding problem of inequalities in health care delivery and the undeniable effect of disparities on health outcomes. The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) recognizes that disparities affect the lives of many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and acknowledges the need to address this as an organization. The CMSC recently (1) appointed a task force, (2) conducted a survey of its membership, (3) commissioned this review article and call to action, and (4) formulated a mission statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which was adopted by the CMSC's Board of Governors in March 2023. This paper summarizes recent literature on health care disparities in MS, particularly those relating to race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. It presents findings from CMSC's survey of members' awareness of DEI issues, the need for education and resources for MS care providers, and existing institutional policies on DEI in the members' practice settings. It also presents the task force's recommendations for next steps, which includes the goal of greater diversity in the MS workforce of the future. The CMSC will continue to revisit DEI policies and practices over time with the goal of motivating greater awareness, momentum, and positive changes within the MS community.
| S-EPMC10503818 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7879104 | biostudies-literature
Project description:A rare disease is generally defined as a condition which affects about 1 among 2000 people and currently, there are approximately 5000-8000 rare diseases (RDs) affecting over 400 million people world-wide. Although RDs may arise from different causes such as infections and environmental factors, about 80% are caused by genetic abnormalities. In Tanzania, there are no reports of the types of RDs, their incidence, distribution and numbers of individuals affected. In addition, there have been no strategies to map RDs in the country and develop a definition that fits the local context. Public awareness and understanding of RDs are very limited, and these lead to poor management and stigmatisation of patients. To address the ongoing problems, Tanzania joined other countries world-wide and global partners to commemorate the rare diseases day (RDD) for the first time in 2016 and subsequently every year. Unlike previous years where the RDD was organised by Ali Kimara Rare Diseases Foundation (AKRDF) with few partners, in 2020, a bigger event was co-hosted by Ali AKRDF and Tanzania Human Genetics Organization together with government representatives and other multiple partners. The organisers, government representatives and participants proposed a national "Call for Action" with the overall goal of improving the lives of patients/individuals with RDs. The call focuses and aims to address 17 strategic issues that are broadly categorised into four areas. These include generating demographic data of individuals with RDs; advocating for policies and guidelines for diagnosis, care, treatment and health financing; developing policies supporting public education, awareness and advocacy; and strengthening research, innovation and public-private partnerships. If adopted and implemented, the potential impacts of these recommendations will include improved access to adequate and high-quality health and education services, and policies and guidelines to address the current and future challenges facing individuals with RDs and their families.
| S-EPMC9446714 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundBlack individuals in the U.S. remain the most disproportionately impacted by new HIV diagnoses, represent the highest portion of individuals living with HIV, and have the highest morbidity rates. Structural inequities and historical oppression are the primary drivers. Such drivers limit access to HIV prevention tools that need to be delivered with culturally congruent and community-informed approaches.MethodsThe Five Point Initiative (FPI) is a community-informed bundled implementation strategy developed and piloted between September 2019 and March 2020 in Miami, Florida in communities heavily impacted by HIV. Key components of the strategy included community consultants/experts, five categories (hence the "Five Point") of community businesses (e.g., corner stores, beauty supply stores, laundromats, mechanics, barbershops), local health organizations, an academic research program engrossed in community engaged research, and community residents who provided ongoing feedback throughout. Outcomes of FPI included (a) survey information (e.g., knowledge of and access to PrEP, barriers to care) and pilot data (acceptability and feasibility), (b) expansion of reach to Black individuals in HIV high impact zip codes in Miami, (c) insights on our bundled implementation strategy, (d) condom distribution, and (e) HIV testing.ResultsOver the course of six months FPI carried out 10 outreach events, partnered with 13 community businesses and 5 health organizations, engaged 677 community residents, collected health information via a survey, distributed 12,434 condoms, provided information on PrEP, and offered voluntary HIV testing (131 completed). FPI's ability to reach residents who are not being reached (e.g., 68.8% never heard of PrEP, 8% no HIV testing ever, 65.9% no primary care provider), positive feedback from residents (e.g., 70% very satisfied, 21% satisfied; 62% strongly agree and 25% agree they would participate again) and qualitative interviews with businesses provide evidence of acceptability and feasibility. Further, survey data provided insights on factors such as socio-demographics, discrimination experiences, barriers to care, social-structural factors, physical and sexual health, and mental health and substance use.ConclusionsThe FPI bundled implementation strategy shows promise to deliver health prevention/intervention for HIV and other health conditions to communities facing health inequities and for whom the current system for delivering care is insufficient.
| S-EPMC10463742 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7560563 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Interest in biology education research (BER) has been growing over the last two decades, yet few BER publications focus on community colleges, which serve a large percentage of the undergraduate student population and a majority of those students who identify with historically underserved groups. In this paper, we define community college biology education research (CC BER) as publications with a community college faculty member as an author, publications with a community college study context or a focus on community college biology teaching and learning, and publications that use community college students as a source of data. We conducted a literature review to quantify how CC BER has progressed since initial calls for broadening participation by recording the number of CC BER publications in seven prominent journals between 2016 and 2020. Our formal analysis of peer-reviewed BER literature indicates that there has been a statistically significant increase in CC BER publications from 3.2% to 5.9% of total BER publications since the last analysis in 2017. We conclude with a discussion of strategies for further broadening of participation in CC BER.
| S-EPMC9727599 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To assess how often obesity is acknowledged at pediatric gastroenterology outpatient visits.A retrospective chart review was performed to identify obese children seen at a gastroenterology subspecialty clinic over a 1-year period of time; 132 children were identified. Demographics, obesity comorbidities, reasons for referral, diagnosis of obesity, and a plan to address obesity were abstracted. Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to examine statistical associations.Only 49% of children were given a diagnosis of obesity. In total, 52% of children were given a body mass index reduction plan. Those diagnosed with obesity were more likely to receive a body mass index reduction plan (p < 0.0001). Younger children and males were more likely to receive an obesity diagnosis (p = 0.002 and p = 0.02, respectively). Diagnosis of obesity was more likely in patients with obesity-related comorbidities (p = 0.0004) and those referred for obesity or related comorbidities (p = 0.01).Obesity is diagnosed less than 50% of the time in pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinics. To increase opportunities for addressing childhood obesity in the pediatric gastroenterology outpatient setting, further investigation of barriers and optimal provider education is urgently required.
| S-EPMC5533254 | biostudies-other
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC5863574 | biostudies-literature