Blacks face higher risk of blood clots after receiving drug-coated stent African-American race is a distinct risk factor for developing life-threatening blood clots after receiving a drug-coated stent, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the Ameri­can Heart Association.  Read More ...

Minorities stand to gain in health reform, according to report WASHINGTON — The new health care reform law establishes a strong foundation for eliminating persistent racial disparities in the U.S. health system, but more needs to be done to expand opportunities for good health for all, according to a report released by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and the National Health Policy Training Alliance for Communities of Color.  Read More ...

Study: Doctors may apply bias in abuse evaluations PHILADELPHIA—Black children are more likely to be evaluated for abuse than white children with comparable injuries, according to a new study from The Children’s Hospital of Philadel­phia, raising concerns some children are being subjected to unnecessary testing while other cases of abuse go undiagnosed.  Read More ...

Minorities not immune to skin cancer MIAMI (New America Media) — The mole on Ivis Febus-Sampayo’s face looked odd. But it wasn’t until her son needed treatment for acne that she went to a dermatologist. “As mothers, we’re working, we’re busy,” she says. “I forgot about me and called the dermatologist to make sure my son was getting taken care of.”  Read More ... Erin N. Marcus, Contributing Writer

Black girls reach puberty earlier than other groups, according to new study The study, whose results were published in Monday’s issue of the medical journal Pediatrics, said that 23 percent of Black girls had started developing by the age of seven, compared to about 10 percent of white girls. A 1997 study by Dr. Frank Biro of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital found that 15 percent of Black girls had begun developing breasts by the age of seven, compared to five percent of white girls.  Read More ...

Summit to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health disparities among women and minorities Arthritis is the single- greatest cause of chronic pain and disability among Americans and the treatment of arthritis costs the nation more than $128 billion a year in medical care and lost earnings. Persistent, chronic joint pain determines the choices people make and limits their ability to perform basic tasks for themselves and their family. Eighty percent of Americans either have, or know someone who has, arthritis and these numbers continue to escalate. Women, African Americans and Latinos are more disabled and have a greater incidence of co-morbid diseases as a result of arthritis than the rest of the population.  Read More ...

NMA president to tackle women’s health, environmental illnesses and economic relief WASHINGTON (NNPA) Leonard Weather Jr., M.D., R.Ph. has been named the 111th president of the D.C.-based National Medical Association, an organization representing more than 30,000 Black physicians around the nation and their patients.  Read More ...

Women’s rights and protections topped global AIDS conference in Vienna VIENNA, Austria (Special to the NNPA from the Jackson Advocate)  — The 18th Annual International AIDS Conference kicked off here Sunday, July 18, with more than 20,000 delegates being urged to make things happen “Rights Here, Right Now” by signing The Vienna Declaration supporting drug policy based on science, not ideology.  Read More ... Alice Thomas-Tisdale, Contributing Writer

Popularity of cosmetic surgery growing among people of color In a survey released today by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, more than half of respondents said they think the popularity of cosmetic surgery has grown among members of their racial/ ethnic group in the last five years.  Read More ...

Nursing homes dumping poor patients Nursing-home residents call in a panic: First they are sent to a hospital for a medical or mental health condition. Then, when the hospital discharges them, the nursing homes won’t take them back.  Read More ... Rebecca S. Rivas, Contributing Writer

Older Blacks and Latinos with cognitive impairment live longer than whites, study finds They’re also less likely to be placed in nursing homes Racially and ethnically diverse older adults are one of the fastest growing population segments in the United States and new research presented Monday at the Alzhei­mer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease 2010 (AAICAD 2010) in Honolulu reveals that older Blacks and Latinos with significant cognitive impairment have a lower likelihood of nursing home placement and longer survival than white older adults in the study.  Read More ...

Black female teens lead peers in quitting cigarettes The overall teen smoking rate has declined in the two decades since 1991. But, over the last seven years, the decline has slowed for all teens except African-American females who are leading the way for smoking cessation, according to a recent report released by the CDC.  Read More ... Pharoh Martin, NNPA National Correspondent

Neighborhoods are a major influence on the health of boys and young men of color, study finds New research funded by The California Endowment finds that African-American and Latino boys and young men are much more likely to experience poor health outcomes than white boys and young men. Most of these differences in health are directly related to the neighborhoods where they grow up.  Read More ... 2 opinions posted

Must Black women choose between beauty and health? (Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American) — In the St. Louis American’s current “Your Health Matters” section, there is an intriguing piece about Black women and weight management written by our health journalist, Sandra Jordan. “Are you working your hairdo or is your hairdo working you — on the scales?” examines the complex relationship between exercising and maintaining hairstyles that complicates the lives of many Black women.  Read More ... Consuelo H. Wilkins, M.D., Contributing Writer - 1 opinion posted

3 ways to take health into your own hands During July, BlackDoctor.org, the nation’s largest online health resource for African Americans, is supplying the top three tools for African Americans to be independent and take health into their own hands. Read More ...

Study helps explain why Black patients with lung cancer have surgery less often than whites A new study led by UNC researchers that looks at newly diagnosed lung cancer patients and follows them from diagnosis forward is one of the first to give reasons why patients don’t go to lung surgery and why surgery happens less often in Blacks.  Read More ...

Cancer study paints grimoutlook for poor Blackmen A recent study conducted by scientists from the Cancer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC) discovered a troubling 19.6-year gap in life expectancy between poor Black men and affluent Asian women.  Read More ...

Dillard, LSUHSC receive $6.4M to research minority health concerns Epitomizing the conceptualized public-private partnership, Dil­lard University and LSU Health Sci­ences (LSUHSC) are partnering to evaluate minority health care disparities through clinical research and to promote collegiate and scho­larly development through the recently announced Minority Hea­lth and Disparities Research Center in New Orleans.  Read More ... Nayita Wilson, Contributing Writer

Area testing for HIV continues According to the U.S. Depart­ment of Health and Human Services, every 9½ minutes, someone in the United States is infected with HIV; proving that despite years of research, the epidemic remains a reality.  Read More ... Kelly Parker, Contributing Writer

HIV Testing Day is June 27: Here’s what you should know (Special to the NNPA from Insight News) — HIV and AIDS have disproportionately affected the African-American population.  Of the estimated one million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. today, roughly half are Black.  Yet, as a racial group, African Americans represent just 13 percent of the population.  The lifetime risk of becoming infected with HIV is one in 16 for Black males, one in 30 for Black females in the U.S., a far greater risk than for white males (one in 104) and white females (one in 588).  Read More ... Melody Mendiola, Contributing Writer - 1 opinion posted

Study finds breast conservation viable for Black women with breast cancer Breast-conserving therapy is a viable treatment option for African-American women, although they tend to have more advanced breast cancer at diagnosis, according to researchers from Beaumont Hospitals, Royal Oak, Mich. The study is available online now and will be in the July 15 issue of the journal Cancer.  Read More ...

Skin cancer and African Americans: Answers to your questions (NNPA) — As the weather turns warmer, people are beginning to spend more time outdoors. While the sunshine may be enjoyable, it may also be damaging your skin — and even causing cancer. Although African Americans and other individuals of color have a much lower risk for skin cancer than people with fair skin, it is important to know that they are also at risk.  Read More ... National Cancer Institute

HIV tests: More harm than good? The idea of early detection and cure is appealing. But if the test is unreliable, and the treatment itself harmful, universal testing can do more harm than good.  Read More ...

Study yields breakthrough for Blacks with heart disease “This study suggests that inflammation may be a more important mechanism in heart disease for African Americans than it is for Caucasians and increases our growing understanding of how heart-disease processes vary in different ethnic groups,” said Lars Berglund, senior study author and associate dean for research at the UC Davis School of Medicine. “The more we appreciate such differences, the better we can individualize treatment and prevention approaches.”  Read More ...

Growing old in America’s cancer alleys “We have lived here the longest, and don’t have the money or opportunity to move away like many younger people do,” said Marie Harrison, a 62-year-old resident of Bayview Hunter’s Point, a highly polluted African-American neighborhood on San Francisco’s southeastern shoreline.  Read More ... Nahmyo Thomas, Contributing Writer

Taking back our children’s health, one breath at a time Their parents and caregivers – especially those in urban areas – watch as their children miss out on playing outside, struggle to get a good night sleep and fall behind at school.  For these families, everyday routines are interrupted by doctor’s visits and trips to the E.R.  Read More ... Floyd J. Malveaux, NNPA Guest Columnist

Study finds that Medicare prescriptions not easily obtained by Blacks, Hispanics Medicare’s Part D prescription medication management program, also known as Medication Therapy Management, could be off limits to some of the patients who need it most — older African Americans and His­pa­n­ics — a new study finds.  Read More ...

Involvement of expectant fathers in pregnancy improves outcomes A report by a commission of public health experts has issued a set of policy and research recommendations aimed at supporting and enhancing the role that expectant fathers can play in ensuring healthy pregnancies and infants.  Read More ...

Blue Cross of La. keeps young people on parents’ policies Young people can remain covered on their parents’ policies beginning June 1, 2010, in advance of a new federal law, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) announced Monday.  Read More ...

Childhood Obesity Task Force unveils action plan: Solving the problem within a generation WASHINGTON, D.C. (Special to the NNPA from the Seattle Medium) — First Lady Michelle Obama has joined Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes and members of the Childhood Obesity Task Force to unveil the Task Force action plan: Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation. In conjunction with the release of the action plan, Cabinet Members and Administration Officials will hold events across the country to highlight the importance of addressing childhood obesity.  Read More ...

Study shows adults can raise IQ and increase brain function A just-released study of Learn­ingRx adult clients shows that brain training can improve brain function and raise IQ, even for people well into their 70s.  Read More ...

Study finds link between racism and depressin among children of color Lee M. Pachter, co-author of the study and professor of pediatrics at Drexel University College of Medicine and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadel­phia, and his colleagues surveyed 277 minority children ages nine to 18 years to determine the contexts in which they perceive racism and the relationship between discrimination, depression and self-esteem.  Read More ...

Breast cancer study reveals race discrimination does exist (Special to the NNPA from the Precinct Reporter) — Something once thought to be just a figment of African-American imagination — racial discrimination at the doctor’s office — might get a reality check soon in light of the new numbers. That’s the assessment of Georgetown University resear­chers, who found that Black women with sufficient health insurance and diagnosed with breast cancer had their treatment delayed twice as long as insured White women.  Read More ... Dianne Anderson, Contributing Writer

Black families must engage in ‘real talk’ about sex before it’s too late We must remove the stigma of honesty in our relationships in order to effectively combat HIV/AIDS As the editor of the bestselling anthology, Not in My Family: AIDS in the African-American Community, I have toured the country extensively speaking to various populations about the state of HIV/AIDS.  Read More ... Gil Robertson, NNPA Special Commentary

Black children hospitalized more often for ruptured appendix, analysis finds Black children were one-third more likely than their white counterparts to be hospitalized for a ruptured appendix in 2006, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.  Read More ...

Study details high rates of rehospitalizations and emergency pain treatment of sickle cell The largest study to date of the use of acute care medical services by people with sickle cell disease found four of every 10 had to return to the hospital within 30 days of a previous hospitalization or go to the emergency department for treatment of pain, according to a new study funded in part by HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.  Read More ...

One in five U.S. kids has a mental health disorder In a new brief, "Children's Mental Health: What Every Policymaker Should Know," NCCP - part of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health - lays out the mental health picture for America's children (aged birth to 18) and concludes that the country's system for children who need mental health services simply isn't sufficient to handle the volume or adequately meet the specific needs of this most vulnerable segment of our population.  Read More ...

Group issues report on Blacks and lung cancer The American Lung Association recently released its report, “Too Many Cases, Too Many Deaths: Lung Cancer in African Americans,” a compilation of research examining lung cancer among African Americans and the need to eliminate this and other health disparities. The report, which includes a preface by William J. Hicks, M.D., provides important information on the possible biological, environmental, political and cultural factors that make African Americans more likely to get lung cancer and more likely to die from it.  Read More ...

Patients with sickle cell disease have high rate of acute care usage Patients with sickle cell disease average about 2.5 hospital visits per year, with 18- to 30-year old patients more likely to require acute care or rehospitalization, according to a study in the April 7 issue of JAMA.  Read More ...

Disparities persist in outcomes for African-American women with advanced breast cancer according to new research African-American women have poorer survival rates than their white and Hispanic counterparts regardless of whether they receive radiation therapy following lumpectomy or mastectomy, UC Davis researchers have found.  Read More ...

Black men over 40 at highest risk for oral cancer When people think about diseases related to smoking and alcohol, oral cancer isn’t usually one that comes to mind. But the combination of tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption accounts for most cases of oral cancer.  Read More ...

Black churches set to take part in cancer campaign The Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) has announced that it will lead a nationwide "Father's Day Rally Against Prostate Cancer," in partnership with churches across the country, on Sunday, June 20, 2010.  Read More ...

Mammogam and pap smear update: How often should you be screened (Special to the NNPA from Our Weekly) - Many factors can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. Cigarettes, for example, contain a laundry list of chemicals that have been proven to cause cancer. These chemicals move all throughout the body and the cervix is no exception.  Read More ... Juliana D. Norwood, Contributing Writer

Transplants cure kidney failure, Type 1 diabetes Brass was diagnosed at age nine with Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, which meant his pancreas did not produce insulin and he was dependent upon insulin injections to survive. In 1999, he developed renal failure as a result of the diabetes, and went on the kidney transplant waiting list.  Read More ... Sandra Jordan, Contributing Writer

Major human rights group condemns U.S. for poor maternal care for Black women In a report released last week, the international human rights organization Amnesty International condemns the United States for inadequate maternal care for African-American women. The report found that Black women are nearly four times more likely than white women to die of pregnancy-related complications. And in high-risk pregnancies, Black females are five and a half times more likely to die.  Read More ...

Low vitamin D levels linked to higher asthma rates among Black children Researchers at Children’s National Medical Center have found recently that Black   children diagnosed with asthma in metropolitan Washington, DC, are significantly more likely to have low levels of vitamin D than healthy Black children. This study supports recent research that suggests vitamin D plays a more significant role in the body than just keeping bones healthy. Vitamin D deficiency has been recently linked to a variety of non-bone related diseases including depression, autoimmune disorders, and now asthma.  Read More ...

Black children with sickle cell disease likely to have a host of problems The Centers for Disease Control’s first national estimate on the health status of children with sickle cell disease revealed that Black children with sickle cell disease are more likely to have intellectual disabilities, hearing deficits, and frequent severe headaches or migraines than Black children without sickle cell disease. The CDC study “Health Status and Healthcare Use in a National Sample of Children with Sickle Cell Disease, was published re­cently in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.  Read More ...

Attitudes about breastfeeding explains disparities among Black women African American women are less likely to breastfeed their children, in part due to the preconceived attitudes that women have regarding breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, according to a new study from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center researchers.  Read More ...

Plastic surgery gaining acceptance the African-American community WASHINGTON (Special to the NNPA from the Howard University News Service)  — A woman pokes and pinches her face in front of a mirror, wondering if a smaller nose and thinner lips will boost her confidence. A patient stands in a gown as her doctor draws surgical lines on her body, and a man blushes, teary-eyed as his family sees him for the first time after his face-lift.  Read More ... Aleesa Mann, Contributing Writer

Michelle Obama’s childhood obesity campaign inspiring parents to take action WASHINGTON (Special to the NNPA from the Howard University News Service) —Those chips, sodas and snacks that children look forward to when they go into the school lunchroom may soon disappear if First Lady Michelle Obama gets her way. The First Lady started the “Let’s Move” campaign, whose aim is to work with schools and parents to make sure all children are able to receive affordable and nutritious food and safe places to play.  Read More ... Alexa Murray, Contributing Writer

Too little sleep could lead to heart problems (Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American) — Trouble sleeping? It could mean more than just feeling tired the next day. A recent study found that people with insomnia have higher nighttime blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems.  Read More ... Consuelo H. Wilkins, M.D., Contributing Writer

Poll examines sleep patterns, attitudes among racial groups A poll released recently by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) reveals significant differences in the sleep habits and attitudes of Asians, Blacks, Latinos and whites. It is the first poll to examine sleep among these four ethnic groups.  Read More ...

HIV/AIDS disparities in Blacks preventable (Special to the NNPA from the New Pittsburgh Courier) — Although the number of HIV infections is growing at an alarming rate throughout the Black community, African-American women are the group most disproportionately affected. While representing only 12 percent of the U.S. female population, they account for 61 percent of all new HIV infections among women.  Read More ... Rebecca Nuttall, Contributing Writer

Despite overall progress, Blacks still suffer cancer disparities Every year, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) collaborates with other organizations to release the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer. When this report is released, the question is always the same: Are we are making any progress against cancer? This year, the report confirms that we are making advances in the fight against many types of this disease.    Read More ... National Cancer Institute, NNPA Special Commentary

Blacks more likely to go hungry, suffer from poverty "Hunger by the Numbers among African Americans," a new analysis, released by Bread for the World revealed that hunger and poverty rates are higher among African Americans than the general U.S. population. The analysis examines the latest data on hunger and poverty rates among African Americans living in major metropolitan areas.  Read More ...

Kids’ dental decay takes a bite out of school attendance (New America Media) — The five-year-old Asian-American boy sat in the dentist’s chair in Dr. David Perry’s Alameda, Calif., clinic for more than 90 minutes, his teeth drilled without general anesthesia.  Read More ... Viji Sundaram, Contributing Writer

HU to get money for biomedical research center The interdisciplinary biomedical research facility will be home to research activities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, biomolecular cancer imagining, medicinal chemistry, Alzheimer’s and other projects from the  Hampton Univ­ersity Schools of Nursing, Phar­macy, and Science.  Read More ...

Dillard, LSU and NCI partnerto offer CRA training Dillard’s School of Nursing, in collaboration with the LSU Health Science Center and the National Cancer Institute, will soon offer Clinical Research Associate (CRA) certification for area healthcare professionals. The training and certification, initially offered to Dillard nursing students, will eventually be offered to a variety of healthcare practitioners.    Read More ...

School-based health centers can reduce risky behaviors among youth A new study released by School Health Connection (SHC), an affiliated program of the Louisiana Public Health Institute, suggests that adolescents with access to school-based health centers (SBHC) not only receive quality health services, but they may also be less likely to engage in behaviors that put their health at risk, including drug use, risky sexual activity, violence, smoking, unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise.  Read More ...

Free printable prescription discount card offers huge savings to users With healthcare reform on the horizon many with high deductible insurance plans, underinsured, those who are self-insured and those without insurance continue to pay ever-increasing rates for their prescription medications. Prescription discount cards typically require a membership or yearly fee, but one website is offering users the ability to save between 15 percent and 75 percent on name brand and generic prescription medications without enrolling or paying a membership.  Read More ...

Study: Lumping ethnic groups in mental health research leaves many untreated (New America Media) — The conventional practice of lumping ethnic groups together as Latinos, African Americans or Asian/Pacific Islanders makes it nearly impossible for researchers to determine key factors for improving the effectiveness of care among racial or ethnic subgroups, according to a new study of depression care in the United States.  Read More ... Paul Kleyman, Contributing Writer

Study: Blacks are twice as likely to be caregivers to older loved ones WASHINGTON (NNPA) —There’s an adage that tells us that we are once an adult but twice a child. That is because many in their “golden years” will be spent in the care of others. In fact, a new study suggests that almost a third of the country’s adult population play a caregiver role to somebody over the age of 50, a disparate number of those caregivers being African-American.  Read More ... Pharoh Martin, NNPA National Correspondent

Dental Care Crisis in America: W.K. Kellogg Foundation report tells ways to reach underserved BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (Special to the NNPA from the Insight News) - Searching for ways to ensure dental care for millions living in dentist-shortage, underserved areas, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has released a wide-ranging assessment of international and U.S. experiences training and deploying new types of dental healthcare providers who could be used to help fill gaps in care.  Read More ...

Advocates fight for elder patients’ rights, safety (Special from New America Media)—David Grant was elated to be going home as he phoned a taxi one recent Friday afternoon from the lobby of a San Francisco hospital. But by the time he reached his apartment, he was so weak he could barely make it up the steps and in the door.  Read More ... Paul Kleyman, Contributing Writer

The next decade of medical innovation As the holiday season winds down, it’s hard to believe January 1 marks the beginning of a new decade. The past 10 years have ushered in two presidents, dramatic changes in personal technology (remember life before iPods and Facebook?) and major health care innovations. Today we have more resources available to treat and combat disease than ever before and are moving toward positive changes to our healthcare system.  Read More ... Larry Lucas, NNPA Columnist

Newmammogramrecommendations could have devastating effect on Blackwomen The USPSTF now recommends that all women should begin routine mammograms at the age of 50 instead of at the previous age of 40 and to continue screenings every two years instead of annually.  The USPSTF feels that their research provides adequate evidence that mammography screenings may inaccurately diagnose and that they do not save as many lives in the younger age bracket.  Read More ... Sophia Adem, NNPA Special Correspondent

Black children cope better with problems in their environment than their white peers, study finds Despite the problems they face, Black children often demonstrate more resilience and a greater ability to deal with adversity in their environment than their white peers, according to a new study. The findings of the study were reported last week in the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.  Read More ...

La. ranks 27th in protecting kids from tobacco Louisiana currently spends $8.9 million a year on tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which is 16.6 percent of the $53.5 million recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last year, Louisiana ranked 33rd, spending $8.5 million on tobacco prevention.  Read More ...

One-third of U.S. adult population plays role of caregiver Caregiving is still mostly a woman's job and many women are putting their career and financial futures on hold as they juggle part-time caregiving and full-time job requirements. This is the reality reported in "Caregiving in the U.S. 2009," the most comprehensive examination to date of caregiving in America.  Read More ...

H1N1 deaths of Black andHispanic children at higher rates than whites According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Black and Hispanic children have a greater number of H1N1 deaths since the epidemic started sweeping the nation last March. The agency is not clear about the reason for the disparities, but speculate that they are associated with “underlying conditions” or going to the doctor quick enough.  Read More ... Nicole Austin, NNPA Special Correspondent

Celebrity battles help increase awareness of a little-known cancer — highest rate among Blacks (NNPA) — Pancreatic cancer is not a new disease. It just so happens that it has received a lot of attention in recent months with the health battles of celebrities including actor Patrick Swayze and football great Gene Upshaw. Their struggle with pancreatic cancer has shed some light on the severity of this disease. Unfortunately, a lack of awareness of pancreatic cancer continues to exist. November was National Pan­creatic Cancer Awareness Month — a good time to increase awareness of this cancer.  Read More ... the National Cancer Institute

Report lists healthcare reform benefits to Louisiana Last week, Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services announced the release of a report that highlights the benefits of healthcare reform for Louisiana.  Read More ... Katrina Rogers, Contributing Writer

New mammogram guidelines considered a death sentence for many Black women The Black Women’s Health Imperative (Imperative) finds the recent announcement by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updating its 2002 breast cancer screening recommendations unacceptable.  Read More ...

NUL teams up with drugstore to provide critical health screenings to New Orleans residents In an effort to promote early detection and raise awareness of preventable diseases in urban communities, the National Urban League and Walgreens have partnered, once again, to launch the third annual Wellness tour. The tour encourages consumers to act as their own health advocates by visiting the wellness bus when it stops in New Orleans, LA, November 26 — December 7.  Read More ...

C.A.R.E clinic offers wellness to N.O. The building that gained notoriety for death and despair four years ago was the site for wellness and better living on Saturday, Nov­ember 14.  That’s the day, the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) hosted a large one-day free clinic at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.  Read More ... Kelly Parker, Contributing Writer - 1 opinion posted

$1M awarded to educate Blacks with diabetes in N.O. Louisiana Health Care Review (LHCR), the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana, has been awarded $1 million by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will fund a special study, “Limb Preservation After Katrina” (LiPAK), designed to reduce the high rate of amputations among African Americans with diabetes.  Read More ...

Lupus patients reduce stress to avoid flare ups Sometimes the body’s immune system can turn on itself, attacking its own tissues and organs —unable to distinguish its own good cells from invading cells. Such is the case with lupus, a serious, chronic inflammatory disease that can damage different systems in the body and how they function. Read More ... Sandra Jordan, Contributing Writer

Race is strong predictor for restless legs syndrome New research shows that Caucasian women may suffer from restless legs syndrome (RLS), a sleep disorder characterized by the strong urge to move the legs, up to four times more than African-American women. Read More ...

Study says minorities suffer more from psoriasis Data from a comprehensive survey of nearly 5,000 people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis reveal that African Americans, Asians and Latinos are more likely than Caucasians to suffer psychological effects from the diseases. The study also found very severe disease to be more common among members of these groups.  Read More ...

African-American mental health addressed at forum Much attention recently, deservedly so, has focused on the importance of adequate health and wellness in African-American communities. However, mental health professionals are asking communities not to ignore another key component, that of our community's mental wellness.  Read More ... Kelly Parker, Contributing Writer

Why women of color cannot wait for healthcare reform The topic of health disparities among African-American men has been discussed in seminars and symposiums during the recent debate regarding healthcare reform. However, the Obama administration has not ignored the fact that women of color face the same, if not more discrepancies.  Read More ... Kelly Parker, Contributing Writer

Important tips for caring for someone with the flu (Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American) — With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that the H1N1 (swine flu) virus has now spread throughout the United States, the American Red Cross has a set of tips for people who are sick or are taking care of someone who has the flu.  Read More ...

Other groups stabilizing, HIV infections increasing only among homosexual males WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Like most kids growing up, Ron Simmons enjoyed playing house. But unlike most males around him, Simmons preferred to play house with other boys instead of girls, a gender preference that continues today.  Read More ... George E Curry, NNPA Special Contributor

Black community may face more serious cases of H1N1 WASHINGTON (Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers) — Government officials warn that the H1N1 flu virus is spreading rapidly and that the Black community may have a higher rate of existing health conditions that could make the illness a serious threat.  Read More ... Danyel Jones, Contributing Writer

Baby Fair scheduled to help expectant mothers with ‘stork reality’ The importance of proper preconception health is one of many key messages to be presented to pregnant women at the Partners for Healthy Babies Fair, Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Esplanade Mall (Center Court) in Kenner, LA.  Read More ...

Women with diabetes at increased risk for irregular heart rhythm Diabetes increases by 26 percent the likelihood that women will develop atrial fibrillation (AF), a potentially dangerous irregular heart rhythm that can lead to stroke, heart failure, and chronic fatigue. These are the findings of a new Kaiser Permanente study, published in the October issue of Diabetes Care, a journal of the American Diabetes Association.  Read More ...

Prostate cancer guide for Black men and their families now available A new guide, Straight Talk for African-American Men and their Families, is now available from the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). It was produced in alliance with Charlie Wilson, famed R&B singer and recent prostate cancer survivor. African-American men are 1.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2.4 times more likely to die from it than Caucasian men.  Read More ...

Domestic violence prevention advocates say men must take a more active role to break the cycle of violence “Domestic violence is not just a women’s issue,” said actor and Verizon Foundation Community Champion Victor Rivers. “As a child, I was a victim of abuse and saw my father belittle and attack my mother. To break the cycle of violence, I’m calling on men to become more involved in the issue and make it a point to teach their children that domestic violence is never acceptable.”  Read More ...

A staggering seven out of 10 women facing breast cancer are never told of their options According to a recently published report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) there was a 39 percent increase in breast reconstruction procedures in 2008 over 2007, yet a staggering 70 percent of breast cancer patients who are eligible for the procedure are not informed of the reconstructive options available to them.  Read More ...

Racial inequalities cost U.S. healthsystemover $50Ba year Racial inequalities in healthcare access and quality added more than $50 billion a year in direct U.S. healthcare costs over a four-year period, according to a study released September 17 by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a Washington-based think tank.  Read More ...

Blacks at significantly higher risk ofDVT or blood clots Speaking at the Venous Disease Coalition (VDC) Annual Meet­ing on September 17, Dr. Garth Graham from the Office of Minority Health at the Depart­ment of Health and Human Ser­vices followed up on last year’s Surgeon General’s Call to Action by focusing attention on the African-American population which is at significantly increas­ed risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE).  Read More ...

Study says African Americans at higher risk for heart disease (Taylor Media Services) — Another one of those studies was released this past Monday showing African Americans more susceptible to some disease or ailment than whites. This one was published in the authoritative Circulation — a publication of the American Heart Association. Overall, the study found that less than eight percent of Americans were at low-risk for heart disease.  Read More ...

Operation Diabetes at Lakeside Oct 10 What do a podiatrist, dietician, optometrist and pharmacist have in common? They’ll all be a part of the annual Operation Diabetes October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lakeside Shopping Center.  Read More ...

Life expectancy of Black Louisianians plummetspost-Katrina The report, "A Portrait of Louisiana: Louisiana Human Development Report 2009," is a unique snapshot that shows that while some groups enjoy some of the highest levels of well-being in the nation, others in Louisiana experience health, education, and income levels that the rest of the country surpassed three to five decades ago.  Read More ...

A healthy lifestyle protects from Alzheimer’s My wife has dozens of magazines largely devoted to the myriad ways in which you can dress, style your hair and put on make-up to look younger than your years. But the real secret to growing old gracefully is taking care of both your mind and body so you can stay healthy and active longer. When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, living a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things you can do to help protect yourself from developing it.  Read More ... Larry Lucas, NNPA Columnist

Teen prenancy may be symptom, not cause of emotional distress Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American — It would make sense that teenage mothers have a lot of psychological stress in their lives, but a new study shows that the distress comes before the pregnancy, not because of it.  Read More ...

Blacks living loner and narrowing life expectancy gap with whites (Taylor Media Services) — In the most authoritative study of its kind, the government Wednesday released a report showing that longevity for Americans has reached an all-time high with life expectancy for both Blacks and whites setting new records. The primary reason for longer lives is that death rates are declining for virtually all of the leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer and strokes.  Read More ...

Preventive health drives mobile medical units in New Orleans area One initiative, the New Orleans Children’s Health Project, which is a partnership between the Children’s Health Fund and Tulane University, has offered mobile medical services to the region since Katrina, ensuring that youth’s primary care and mental health needs are available daily, community by community.  Read More ... Nayita Wilson, Contributing Writer

Obesity remains No. 1 health problem for kids in 2009 According to a report released today by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, the proportion of adults who believe childhood obesity is a big problem has increased from 35 percent of adults in 2008 to 42 percent in 2009.  Read More ...

New Study: Black Woman You Will Live Longer by Not Being Hostile and Pessimistic (Taylor Media Services) — University of Pittsburgh Medical Center internist Doctor Hilary Tindle summarized the results of her new study this way: “We don’t know exactly why, but attitude does appear to matter when it comes to heart disease and health.” The study showed that women who have a positive attitude appeared to give themselves protection against heart disease as well as extend their lives.  Read More ...

For healthy aging, maintaining muscle is a must While muscle-building often conjures images of beefy athletes pumping iron, for the nearly 70 million Americans age 55 or over, building and keeping muscle tone can be a vital part of aging gracefully and staying healthy. For many Americans in that age group, deteriorating muscle mass and reduced strength become a major impediment to an active lifestyle and overcoming many of the risks associated with growing older.  Read More ...

"Are patients becoming victims in hospital overcrowding turf wars?" experts ask Some hospitals have made the decision to move patients from ER hallways to hallways on unit floors, believing that will force nurses to find beds more quickly, according to experts Anthony Sanzo and Lisa Romano, CEO and Vice President, respectively, at TeleTracking Technologies, leading maker of patient flow automation technology.  Read More ...

The end of Rae Lewis-Thornton's "secret" CHICAGO (NNPA) — Essence magazine Editor-in-Chief Susan Taylor heard Rae-Lewis Thornton speak and immediately decided that her story needed to be shared with her magazine’s readers. The December 1994 cover of Essence uncustomarily carried only one story, “Facing AIDS: I’m young, I’m educated, I’m drug-free, and I’m dying of AIDS” by Rae Lewis-Thornton.  Read More ... George E Curry, NNPA Special Contributor

Stop healthcare discrimination, Louisiana tell Congress In June 2009, the Louisiana Legislature unanimously passed a resolution asking Congress to stop healthcare discrimination for five million of the oldest, poorest, sickest, and most disabled people in the nation. These are dually eligible people — poor Medicare beneficiaries who also have Medicaid.  Read More ...

New study recommends pregnant women start an exercise program Physicians should recommend low to moderate levels of exercise to their pregnant patients, even if they have not exercised prior to pregnancy, states a report published in the August 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Ortho­paedic Surgeons (JAAOS).  Read More ...

Black people are failing to get adequate amounts of sunshine  (Taylor Media Services)  — Seventy percent of whites and a whopping 97 percent of Blacks in America have insufficient levels of vitamin D. This means the great majority of the U.S. population is failing to eat foods rich in vitamin D, failing to get adequate exposure to the sun or both. This is according to a study conducted by re­searchers from Harvard Univer­sity and the University of Colorado. It was published recently in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.  Read More ...

Improved health insurance system, new programs and policies could reduce burden of cance in minorities, poor and underserved (NNPA) – A new consensus report from the National Medical Association (NMA) and the American Cancer Society finds that while death rates from cancer in the United States continue to decline, they remain significantly higher among some ethnic minorities, the poor, and underserved populations; and recommends expanded and improved health insurance programs that serve the poor and underserved.  Read More ...

Renown physician of Hematology returns home to attend convention-sponsored Health Fair In a time in which violence and despair amongst male youth loom in our communities; local success stories are often scarce.  However, the Crescent City need look no farther than the neighborhood of Hollygrove for an example of hard work and success in a field uncharted by many.  Read More ... Kelly Parker, Contributing Writer

Women have safe, effective alternative to hysterectomies TOLEDO, Ohio (Special to the NNPA from the Toledo Journal) — Many may not realize it, but there is a safe and effective medical treatment that can help women suffering from fibroids avoid undergoing a hysterectomy.  Read More ...

Can skin color affect nicotine addiction? (Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American) — Higher concentrations of melanin, the color pigment in skin and hair — may place darker pigmented smokers at increased susceptibility to lethal nicotine dependence and tobacco-related carcinogens than lighter skinned smokers, according to scientists.  Read More ...

Tackling the question of ‘why do Blacks fare worse with cancer? An analysis of almost 20,000 patient records from the Southwest Oncology Group’s database of clinical trials finds, for the first time, that African-American breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer patients tend to die earlier than patients of other races even when they get identical medical treatment and other confounding socioeconomic factors are controlled for. The finding points to biological or host genetic factors as the potential source of the survival gap.  Read More ...

Study says Blacks more likely to die while waiting on kidney transplant A new study by the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that 46 percent of patients age 60 and older presently waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant will die before receiving an organ from a de_ceased donor.  Read More ...

Reducing risks for oral cancer-something to smile about Most Americans have embraced the goal of a “healthy” smile with enthusiasm. It is almost impossible to avoid the commercials promoting special toothpastes, toothbrushes, flosses, mouth washes, and whitening solutions—all promising a healthier, brighter smile. Building healthy dental habits for you and your family is important, but it is also important to be aware of other habits that may affect your overall oral health.  Read More ... the National Cancer Institute, NNPA Special Commentary

Healthcare reform must include remedies for racial disparities WASHINGTON (NNPA) — While President Obama lobbies for support for health care reform, debate leaders and advocates representing African Americans and other people of color argue that coverage and cost-cutting alone isn’t enough.  Read More ... Pharoh Martin, NNPA National Correspondent

Xavier professor named editor of major health journal A faculty member of Xavier University's College of Pharmacy has been named editor-in-chief of the Society for Public Health Education's (SOPHE) peer-reviewed journal entitled Health Promotion Practice.  Read More ...

The pressure is on for Blacks with hypertension Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of African Americans with high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) say they worry more about their finances than their personal health, according to a new 'My Pressure Points'(tm) national survey commissioned by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., in collaboration with the Association of Black Cardio_logists  Read More ...

Older Americans are in denial about their hearing loss, new study finds Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. recently announced the findings of a survey of 250 older Americans, or "Boomers," and 250 children of Boomers, which revealed that 72 percent of Boomers believe their hearing is average or better, but their children disagree. The findings show a significant disconnect between Boomers and their children about the severity and perceived consequences of their hearing loss.  Read More ...

EyeCare America offers no-cost medical eye care to qualified seniors Imagine not being able to read the newspaper, watch television, or drive your car. These are a few of the things many seniors have trouble doing due to various eye diseases. In fact, by the age of 65, one in three Americans has some form of vision impairing eye disease. However, with the U.S. economy experiencing a major downturn, senior communities on fixed incomes are struggling to pay for health care.  Read More ...

Type 2 Diabetes: An epidemic among America's youth With the number of children suffering from type 2 diabetes growing at an alarming rate, physicians gathered May 23 to discuss strategies for prevention and treatment of the disease among children and adolescents at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 18th Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress.  Read More ...

The economic downturn is contributing to a decline in overall family health in the African American community, with parents prioritizing their children's health over their own. While half of African Americans consider it equally important for parents to take care of their own health and the health of their children, significantly more African-American parents say the economic downturn has affected their own health and wellness compared to that of their children (60 percent vs. 46 percent).  Read More ...

Recession has greater impact on health of parents than children, study finds The economic downturn is contributing to a decline in overall family health in the African American community, with parents prioritizing their children's health over their own. While half of African Americans consider it equally important for parents to take care of their own health and the health of their children, significantly more African-American parents say the economic downturn has affected their own health and wellness compared to that of their children (60 percent vs. 46 percent).  Read More ...

African-Americans are susceptible to skin cancer As the summer heats up, Americans will begin spending more time outside, grilling, playing outdoor sports, doing yard work, going to the beach-enjoying the sunshine. But there may be risk for something much more serious than a tan.  Read More ... the National Cancer Institute, NNPA Special Commentary

Obese people seem to do better with heart disease (HealthDay News) - The excess fat that leads people to develop heart disease can help them fight against the condition's worst effects, a review of cardiac studies shows.  Read More ...

Black Male Children Face Highest Risk for Food Allergies (Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American) - Black male children are particularly at risk for food allergy, according to researchers who examined the results from the first representative U.S. survey where quantitative sensitization to various foods was investigated.  Read More ...

Black Women Contract HIV/AIDS Mostly Through Heterosexual Activity WASHINGTON (NNPA) - C. Virginia Fields, president of the National Black Leadership Com_mission on AIDS, was giving a speech in Rocky Mount, N.C. last week before a group of social service providers when she made a surprising revelation about the AIDS epidemic.  Read More ... George E Curry, NNPA Special Correspondent

Healthcare reform important to Blacks, says Obama WILMINGTON (Special to the NNPA from the Wilmington Journal) - If there is any population where it is vital not only that healthcare costs be lowered, but access to quality healthcare be improved, experts agree, it's the African-American community. President Obama knows the need firsthand from his former days as a community organizer on the streets of Southside Chicago, and First Lady Michelle Obama's work as a hospital administrator there.  Read More ... Cash Michaels, Contributing Writer

Report reveals there are inequalities revealed in pharmaceutical treatment for minority patients A new report from the National Minority Quality Forum finds that appropriate medications for a variety of diseases often are under-prescribed, over-prescrib?ed, or mis-prescribed for African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans.  Read More ...

Racial, gender disparities remain in medical treatment A national alliance of families, the pharmaceutical industry, patients, consumer groups, and drug abuse prevention advocates released a national strategy proposal to counter the medical mistreatment of women and people of color who suffer from chronic or acute pain.  Read More ...

H1N1 case turns up negative at SUNO, but 11 new cases in La. Southern University at New Orleans was informed Tuesday by officials with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) that the employee suspected of contracting H1N1 has tested negative for the virus, and may report back to work. The test was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control. SUNO officials encouraged university em?ploy?ees and students to continue to practice basic hygiene as suggested by the DHH.  Read More ...

Black women have less breast cancer, but higher death rate from it (Taylor Media Services) — African American women have a lower incidence of breast cancer than white women, but they have a higher mortality rate. The health disparity continues even though the government has been trying to improve access to breast cancer screening and treatment for Black women for nearly 20 years. These are the two major findings of new research published in the May issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.  Read More ...

New survey reveals gap exists in understanding of Alzheimer's disease risk and prevention among most vulnerable populations African-American and Hispanic adults are more concerned about Alzheimer's disease, but are less informed about prevention of and risk factors than Caucasians, according to new survey results announced today by Eisai, Inc. Dr. Sharon Richardson, vice president of Medical Affairs at Eisai Inc. presented these findings recently at the 2009 Con_gres_sional Black Caucus (CBC) Spring Health Braintrust and National Minority Quality Fo_rum 6th Annual Health Dis_parities Leadership Summit and Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C.  Read More ...

Blacks are more worried about HIV than whites WASHINGTON - Blacks are six times more likely to be very concerned about becoming infected with HIV than Whites, a new report by the Kaiser Family Foundation has disclosed.  Read More ... George E Curry, NNPA Special Correspondent

New Study Says Africans Have World's Greatest Genetic Variation (Taylor Media Services) -According to a just released 10-year study, Africans have more genetic variation than any other people on Earth. The finding, published Thursday, April 30, in the online edition of the journal Science, confirms the so-called "Out of Africa Theory" which asserts that human life began in Africa and then spread to the rest of the world.  Read More ...

Black kidney patients may have more difficulty getting dialysis under a new Medicare payment policy, re­searchers warn. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will make a single payment to dialysis units to cover both dialysis and injectable medications. These services were previously reimbursed separately.  Read More ...

Top Black doctors tell how to avoid swine flu WASHINGTON (NNPA) – The Obama Administration has de­clared a public health emergency in the U.S. in response to an outbreak of a swine flu virus that has reportedly killed as many as 103 people in New Mexico and caused at least 20 non-deadly influenza cases in the U.S.  Read More ... Hazel Trice Edney NNPA Editor-in-Chief

NMA receives funding from Kellogg for training community advocates The National Medical Association (NMA), the nation's premier membership organization for African-American physicians, on Tuesday received grant funding in the amount of $120,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This is the first installment of a three-year grant commitment, designed "to promote health care coverage and eliminate health disparities by sustaining collaboration among partner organizations."  Read More ...

Black Women May Not Be As Overweight as the Studies Suggest (Taylor Media Services) - Various studies, including some from the U.S. government, suggest that up 80 percent of adult Black women are overweight or obese. Most of these studies use something called the body mass index (BMI) formula to arrive at their conclusions. However, a report released last week says the BMI scale may be unfair to African-American women.  Read More ...

Obama Administration HIV/AIDS Effort Targets Blacks WASHINGTON (NNPA) - After leading the global effort to reduce HIV/AIDs, the federal government is finally directing more attention and financial resources to the epidemic at home by focusing on African Americans, the group that bears the brunt of the disease, and aggressively enlisting the help of community-based groups.  Read More ... George E Curry, NNPA Special Correspondent

Racism May Play Role in High Pregnancy Death Rates among Black Women (Taylor Media Services) - According to a survey by Women's eNews, African American women "are three to six times more likely to die during pregnancy and the six weeks after delivery than white and Latina women" in the United States. Although Black women make up 12 percent of the nation's female population, they represent almost 50 percent of maternal mortalities.  Read More ...

New study links breast cancer deaths in black women to high blood pressure (Taylor Media Services) - According to the results of a new study released by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), approximately 30 percent of the reason white women survive breast cancer better than Black women is that African-American women have greater levels of high blood pressure.  Read More ...

Local agency offers opportunities for pregnant teenagers For some teens, failure is not a foregone conclusion when they become pregnant. With the help of Healthy Start New Orleans' High School Initiative, pregnant and parenting teens are staying in school and holding high educational and vocational aspirations for their future.  Read More ...

Experts cite reasons for health disparities among African Americans WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Despite African-American advances in politics, health disparities continue to soar, with Blacks succumbing to a host of diseases at rates that are disproportionately higher than any other ethnicity.  Read More ... Chablis Jenkins, NNPA Special Correspondent

Groundbreaking HIV/AIDS Study Investigates Dangers of 'Down Low' Label Researchers at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) recently published a study in the American Journal of Public Health showing that Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and women and identify themselves as on the down low (DL) engage in the same level of risk with women as behaviorally bisexual men who do not identify themselves as down low.  Read More ...

Task force recommends using aspirin may prevent cardiovascular disease when the benefits outweigh the harms Patients and clinicians should consider risk factors - including age, gender, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking and risk of gastrointestinal bleeding - before deciding whether to use aspirin to prevent heart attacks or strokes, according to new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. These recommendations do not apply to people who have already had a heart attack or stroke.  Read More ...

Study: Children of imprisoned parents suffer adverse, long-lasting impact WASHINGTON (Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers) - When Lawrence Miller was in jail in Prince George's County for receiving stolen property in June 2007 and in the District's jail for violating probation in September, he missed his friends and close family members with whom he interacted on a daily basis. But the one person he missed the most was his 9-year-old son.  Read More ... James Wright, Contributing Writer

Drug arrests skewed by race, report says Blacks have been arrested nationwide on drug charges at higher rates than whites for nearly three decades, even though they engage in drug offenses at comparable rates, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Friday.  Using data obtained from the FBI, the report reveals the extent and persistence of racial disparities in US drug-law enforcement. The data also show that most drug arrests are for nothing more serious than possession.  Read More ...

Minorities wait too long for joint replacement surgery, study finds Hispanic and African-American patients tend to have poorer joint function before undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery, according to a new study presented Tuesday at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) (www.aaos.org/). In addition, female patients have less preoperative joint function than male patients across ethnic groups.  Read More ...

Foundation seeks to close healthcare disparity gaps The Merck Company Foundation (Foundation), the philanthropic arm of Merck & Co., Inc., has announced the launch of The Alliance to Reduce Disparities in Diabetes (Alliance), a new initiative designed to improve healthcare delivery among those populations most at risk for diabetes—African-American, Hispanic, and Native American adults. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Office of Minority Health (OMH) joined the Foundation in support of the Alliance’s goal to mobilize community-based partners and enhance the delivery of proven, collaborative approaches that can close gaps in diabetes care.  Read More ...

White patients benefit more than Blacks in surviving surgical complications at teaching hospitals Elderly patients who undergo surgery at teaching-intensive hospitals have better survival rates than at non-teaching hospitals, but these better survival rates apparently occur in white patients, not Black patients, according to a recent study.  Read More ...

Social disconnection in Black women with breast cancer found Findings released February 14 at the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) 10th National Conference on Cancer Nursing Research reveal that isolation was the strongest predictor of social disconnection in African-American women with breast cancer. The study, presented by Sue Heiney, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, of the Palmetto Health South Carolina Cancer Center in Columbia, SC, described the concept of social disconnection and the sociocultural influences that may impact it using data from 124 African-American women with breast cancer enrolled in a National Cancer Institute-funded study which was institutional review board-approved.  Read More ...

Xavier College of Pharmacy to present 3rd Annual Health Disparities Conference Xavier University of Louisiana's College of Pharmacy will host the 3rd Annual Health Disparities Conference April 19-21, 2009 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. The 2009 conference, "Building Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities: Effective Chronic Disease Management Models to Improve Health Outcomes," includes opening keynote speaker, Congresswoman Donna Christiansen, Chair, Congressional Black Caucus Health Brain Trust. She will discuss the legislative involvement in eliminating health disparities under the new Obama administration.   Read More ...

Determining if clinical trials are right for you? Have you or a family member ever discussed clinical trials - what they are and whether one may be right for you? Have you or a family member been treated for cancer and wondered if a clinical trial would have expanded your treatment options?  Read More ... National Cancer Institute, NNPA Special Commentary

New study reveals swimming can cut men's risk of dying in half A new study shows that swimming cuts men's risk of dying by about 50 percent compared to runners, walkers and sedentary peers.  Read More ...

Cardiac disease in women remains untreated for decades Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart disease that creates a thickening of the heart wall muscle and is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in children and young adults under the age of 40. More importantly, although heart disease is the number one killer in women, the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (www.4HCM.org) warns women remain untreated for cardiac disease for decades, even though symptoms were identified earlier than their appropriately identified and treated male counterparts, according to the recent publication of a cohort of 1,228 HCM patients worldwide, in the Journal of Women's Health.  Read More ... Alan King, Contributing Writer

Simple exercise keeps brain at top of its game, study finds (HealthDay News) — Physical fitness may be as good for the brain as it is for the body in old age, a new study says.  Read More ...

Health problems of older adults exacerbated by Katrina, new study finds In the year following Hurricane Katrina, the health of survivors 65 and over declined nearly four times that of a national sample of older adults not affected by the disaster, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The August 2005 storm was one of the most powerful and deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Hurricane Katrina displaced thousands and severely disrupted access to health care. Researchers monitored enrollees of a New Orleans-area managed care organization and found morbidity rates increased 12.6 percent compared with 3.4 percent nationwide. The results are published in the January issue of The American Journal of Managed Care.  Read More ...

For black women, it is the test of a lifetime DALLAS (Special to the NNPA from the Dallas Examiner) — “I’ve thought about getting tested many times. I mean...I really want to know. But, if I’m honest with myself, the truth is... I’m scared,” said Cheryl, a Black woman in her 30s. “I hear the PSAs telling us to get tested. But it’s not that simple. I still have to deal with what my family thinks, what my church thinks, the young girls that I mentor... And I tell myself, ‘Just go find out. You don’t have to tell anyone.’ But, AIDS? AIDS is scary.”  Read More ... Robyn H. Jimenez, Contributing Writer

New lung cancer vaccine may hold promise for African-American patients (NNPA) - Lung cancer continues to be a most deadly enemy for African-Americans and other minorities. Despite recent improvements in diagnosis and treatment, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among African Americans.  Read More ... the National Cancer Institute, NNPA Special Commentary

Heart condition leading cause of death in young athletes ST. LOUIS (Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American) - Among cardiologists, it's known as the most common cause of sudden death in young athletes. It occurs in one in 500 individuals and is the most common genetic cardiovascular condition. However, most people haven't heard of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, and not knowing could prove fatal.  Read More ...

Get Kids Off Medicine program is launched in metro area Martin Irwin, MD, Professor of Psychiatry at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine, is launching what he believes is a first- of-its kind-program nationally to "Get Kids Off Medicine."  Read More ... 18 opinions posted

Daughters of Charity Services to expand Carrollton Health Center Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans (DCSNO) CEO Michael Griffin, members of the board of directors and local officials announced the expansion of the organization's Carrollton Health Center at a press conference on Friday, Dec. 5, at the center, 3201 So. Carrollton Avenue, near Earhart Boulevard. Area residents enjoyed a block party to celebrate the announcement and introduce the center's services.  Read More ...

Black journalists to host conference on health disparities The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) will present its Conference on Health Disparities on January 30-31, 2009 at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. This conference is part of the NABJ Media Institute's professional development program to better train our journalists on the increasing number of health disparities in the Black community and to help empower their newsrooms toward increased coverage.  Read More ...

New Cancer Vaccine May Hold Promise for African-American Lung Patients Lung cancer continues to be a most deadly enemy for African Americans and other minorities. Despite recent improvements in diagnosis and treatment, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among African Americans.  Read More ... the National Cancer Institute, NNPA Special Commentary

HIV scare at high school escalates testing, results to remain confidential ST. LOUIS (Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American) - The HIV scare at Normandy High School apparently has prompted an increase in HIV testing at area health organizations.  Read More ... Sandra Jordan, Contributing Writer

Health portal is launched for women of color (Special to the NNPA from the Philadelphia Tribune)-Three savvy health professionals have partnered to launch a health and wellness Web community for women of color.  Read More ... Ayana Jones, Contributing Writer

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Enrollment period in La. has begun Saturday, November 15, kicked off, until December 31, 2008, the annual open enrollment period for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, and in addition to enrolling seniors who turn 65, the State of Louisiana's enrollment partners are looking for 22,000 older, low-income residents who have yet to take advantage of this healthcare benefit, said Vicki Dufrene, Louisiana Senior Health Insurance Information Program Director, and Cheron Brylski, Medicare Today/Louisiana.  Read More ...

TV Host questions health of black organizations TOLEDO, Ohio (Special to the NNPA from the Toledo Journal) - At a conference focused on African-American health and statistical health disparities, BET Rap City host Jeff Johnson, the keynote speaker, questioned the health of African-American institutions and organizations, including that of his host.  Read More ...

Black women escape unexpected rise in suicides among females (Taylor Media Services) — An analysis of data covering the 1999 to 2005 period shows an unexpected jump in the nation’s suicide rate. But most of the increase occurred among middle-aged white women of 40 to 64. In fact, during the period, the suicide rate for Black women actually dropped while that for other minority group women remained roughly unchanged.  Read More ...

Blood pressure is not just a ‘man’s problem’ (NAPSA ) — Here’s heartening news: More women are paying attention to their hearts in recent years, thanks perhaps to public awareness campaigns that emphasize a woman’s risk for heart disease. Too many, however, may not recognize the critical role blood pressure plays in heart health. In fact, women are less likely than men to make lifestyle changes to meet target goals for healthy blood pressure. Forty percent of women are not controlling their high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to a study published in a recent issue of Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.  Read More ...

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: A Reliable and Personal Way to Get Your Cancer Questions Answered Your family has just received some unsettling medical news from the doctor that one of your family members has cancer.  Read More ... By the National Cancer Institute NNPA Special Comment

More than 2 million children with insured parents are uninsured, study finds Some 2.3 million children a year, mostly from low-to middle-income families, have no health care coverage to pay for preventive or other medical needs, even though at least one of their parents is insured, according to a new study supported by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Center for Research Resources, part of HHS' National Institutes of Health.  Read More ...

LSUHSC awarded $1.6M for trauma work The Department of Psychiatry at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine has been awarded a grant in the amount of $1,596,316 over four years by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funding will support the expansion of services of LSUHSC’s Louisiana Rural Trauma Services Center to children and families in the three parishes most devastated by Hurricane Katrina — Orleans, St. Bernard and Plaquemines, with additional emphasis on families of military deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, most of whom were also affected by Katrina. The principal investigator of the grant is Joy Osofsky, Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Public Health and Head, Division of Pediatric Mental Health in the Department of Pediatrics at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans.  The co-principal investigator is Howard Osofsky, MD, PhD, Professor and Chairman of Psychiatry at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans.  Read More ...

WomenHeart offers free guide to help women reduce their risk of heart disease With six times more U.S. women dying each year from heart attacks than from breast cancer, WomenHeart has created a free brochure offering heart-healthy — and potentially life-saving — tips to help women reduce their risk of heart disease.  Read More ... 1 opinion posted

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Increase your knowledge and reduce your risk Do you know someone affected by breast cancer? Maybe an aunt, sister, mother, or friend?  Read More ... By the National Cancer Institute, NNPA Special Commentary

New national report reveals the high price of low self-esteem Self-esteem has become a national crisis in this country. The majority of girls (seven in 10) feel they do not measure up in some way including their looks, performance in school and relationships. Most disturbing is that girls with low self-esteem are engaging in harmful and destructive behavior that can leave a lasting imprint on their lives. These new findings come from Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem, conducted with girls between eight and 17 and commissioned by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund. In response, Dove is launching its largest effort yet to bring self-esteem programming to girls across the country and to encourage everyone to make a difference in the lives of girls. This new initiative is part of the Dove Self-Esteem Fund goal to reach five million girls globally by 2010 with self-esteem programming.  Read More ...

Obama health care plan reportedly best for Black America A number of health experts and a congressman chatted with The Black Press last week to share their thoughts about Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's health care platform and how it might impact Black America. Participants in the teleconference included Dr. Byllye Avery, a founder and president of the National Black Women's Health Imperative, Dr. Charles Franklin, a physician with extensive experience in communities of color, and U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.  Read More ...

Young Black males facing mental health crisis A significant increase in mental illness and behavioral problems among adolescent African-American males demonstrates the need for new approaches to treatment and better understanding of the complex challenges facing these youths, according to a policy paper issued by Community Voices: Healthcare for the Underserved, an advocacy group based at Morehouse School of Medicine.  Read More ...

Targeted marketing promotes unhealthy eating among Blacks, study finds Targeted marketing of high-calorie foods and beverages exposes African-American consumers to more unhealthy messages around eating and limits their access to healthy foods, compared to whites or the general population, according to a new research review published in the September issue of the American Journal of Public Health. Read More ...

Those living with HIV face health and stigma challenges Although great strides have been made in HIV education and awareness since the pandemic was detected more than 25 years ago, people living with HIV and AIDS around the globe still live in fear of the societal stigma and serious concerns over the side effects of their drugs, some of the world's leading physicians said during the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. Read More ... By Jerry Thomas, Contributing Writer

Feds run HIV/AIDS numbers game AIDS activists have been saying for years that CDC understated the extent of the epidemic. But government officials turned a deft ear, haughtily saying they were the experts and community activists, who were closer to the community, did not know what they were talking about. Read More ... By George E Curry, NNPA Columnist

U.S. Leads Global Efforts Against AIDS, But Neglects the Epidemic in Black America, Says New Report (LOS ANGELES, Calif.- NNPA) - The United States leads the global response to HIV/AIDS, but fails to mobilize the same commitment to address the large and growing epidemic within its own borders, finds a new report released today by the Black AIDS Institute. "Left Behind! Black America: A Neglected Priority in the Global AIDS Epidemic", praises the United States for it vital efforts to address HIV worldwide, but criticizes the government's profoundly inadequate response to the epidemic within its own borders, where Black Americans are most severely affected by the disease.  Read More ...

One size fits all prevention wrong fit for HIV/AIDS epidemic MEXICO CITY (Special to the NNPA from the Black AIDS Institute) - At past international AIDS conferences, a session on prevention wouldn't have drawn enough attention to fill a large meeting room. In previous years, treatment dominated the conversation.  Read More ... By Linda Villarosa, Contributing Writer

AARC to National Minority Donor Awareness Day The African American Resource Center of the New Orleans Public Library is reaching out to the African-American community to provide information on organ donations. The program takes place at noon, August 1, 2008, in the auditorium of the Main Library.  Read More ...

Cutting calories may be 'fountain of youth' (Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American) - New research suggests cutting back on calories could be a promising strategy to slow the signs of aging and live longer.  Read More ...

HIV/AIDS numbers on the decline, but, many not convinced HIV rates are declining in prison, according to the U. S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, but AIDS activists paint a different picture of the disease’s prevalence both in and out of prison. Read More ... By Charlene Muhammad

Study finds disparities in breast cancer treatment even among fully-insured HealthCore recently presented a study comparing treatment patterns and adherence to established treatment guidelines for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. Read More ...

Bush Signs Genetic Testing Legislation President Bush last week signed legislation to protect people from losing their jobs or health insurance when genetic testing reveals they are susceptible to costly diseases. Read More ...