scholarly journals Racial Disparity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in African American Communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (6) ◽  
pp. 890-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravina Kullar ◽  
Jasmine R Marcelin ◽  
Talia H Swartz ◽  
Damani A Piggott ◽  
Raul Macias Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Racial Disparity ◽  
Healthcare Disparities ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Multifaceted Approach ◽  
Communities Of Color ◽  
American Black ◽  
Structural Inequities

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has unveiled unsettling disparities in the outcome of the disease among African Americans. These disparities are not new but are rooted in structural inequities that must be addressed to adequately care for communities of color. We describe the historical context of these structural inequities, their impact on the progression of COVID-19 in the African American (black) community, and suggest a multifaceted approach to addressing these healthcare disparities. (Of note, terminology from survey data cited for this article varied from blacks, African Americans, or both; for consistency, we use African Americans throughout.)

Abstract 3060: Racial Disparities in Early Institution of “Do Not Resuscitate” Orders Influence Survival in Acute Ischemic Strokes.

Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratik Bhattacharya ◽  
Ambooj Tiwari ◽  
Sam Watson ◽  
Scott Millis ◽  
Seemant Chaturvedi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
African American ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Racial Disparity ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Do Not Resuscitate ◽  
Dnr Orders

Background: The importance of early institution of “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) orders in determining outcomes from intracerebral hemorrhage is established. In the setting of acute ischemic stroke, African Americans tend to utilize critical care interventions more and palliative care options less than Caucasians. Recent epidemiological studies in acute ischemic stroke have shown a somewhat better survival for African Americans compared with Caucasians. Our hypothesis was that racial differences in early institution of DNR orders would influence mortality in acute ischemic stroke. Methods: a retrospective chart review was conducted on consecutive admissions for acute ischemic stroke across 10 hospitals in Michigan for the year 2006. Subjects with self reported race as African American or Caucasian were selected. Demographics, stroke risk factors, pre morbid status, DNR by day 2 of admission, stroke outcome and discharge destination were abstracted. Results: The study included 574 subjects (144 African American, 25.1%; 430 Caucasian, 74.9%). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher among Caucasians (8.6% vs. 1.4% amongst African Americans, p=0.003). More Caucasians had institution of DNR by day 2 than African Americans (22.5% vs. 4.3%, p<0.0001). When adjusted for racial differences in DNR by day 2 status, Caucasian race no longer predicted mortality. Caucasians were significantly older than African Americans (median age 76 vs. 63.5 years, p<0.0001); and age was a significant predictor of DNR by day 2 and mortality. In the adjusted analysis, however, age marginally influenced the racial disparity in mortality ( table ). Caucasians with coronary disease, atrial fibrillation, severe strokes and unable to walk prior to the stroke tend to be made DNR by day 2 more frequently. Only 27.1% of Caucasians with early DNR orders died in the hospital, whereas 20.8% were eventually discharged home. Conclusions: Early DNR orders result in a racial disparity in mortality from acute ischemic stroke. A substantial proportion of patients with early DNR orders eventually go home. Postponing the use of DNR orders may allow aggressive critical care interventions that may potentially mitigate the racial differences in mortality.

Epilogue

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginald K. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
African American ◽  
Moral Education ◽  
College Presidents ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
First Century ◽  
Black College ◽  
College President ◽  
American Black

The epilogue reveals the importance of placing African American black college presidents in an historical context. I re-emphasize the role of a black college president as more than an administrator of an institution but a race leader to his community. I also explain the creation of “moderation” in North Carolina and how Shepard help create this approach to the race issue prior to the legal battles surrounding school integration during the 1950s. Finally, I examine how Shepard’s legacy at North Carolina Central University has lasted well into the twenty-first century. This lasting impact is seen in the theory of the “Central Way” of doing things at the school today. This approach is largely based on the foundation of “moral education” that Shepard created in the early to mid-twentieth century.

scholarly journals Disparity in Risk Factor Severity for Early Childhood Blood Lead among Predominantly African-American Black Children: The 1999 to 2010 US NHANES

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deniz Yeter ◽  
Ellen C. Banks ◽  
Michael Aschner
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
African American ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Racial Disparity ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Black Children ◽  
The United States ◽  
American Black

There is no safe detectable level of lead (Pb) in the blood of young children. In the United States, predominantly African-American Black children are exposed to more Pb and present with the highest mean blood lead levels (BLLs). However, racial disparity has not been fully examined within risk factors for early childhood Pb exposure. Therefore, we conducted secondary analysis of blood Pb determinations for 2841 US children at ages 1–5 years with citizenship examined by the cross-sectional 1999 to 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The primary measures were racial disparities for continuous BLLs or an elevated BLL (EBLL) ≥5 µg/dL in selected risk factors between non-Hispanic Black children (n = 608) and both non-Hispanic White (n = 1208) or Hispanic (n = 1025) children. Selected risk factors included indoor household smoking, low income or poverty, older housing built before 1978 or 1950, low primary guardian education <12th grade/general education diploma (GED), or younger age between 1 and 3 years. Data were analyzed using a regression model corrected for risk factors and other confounding variables. Overall, Black children had an adjusted +0.83 µg/dL blood Pb (95% CI 0.65 to 1.00, p < 0.001) and a 2.8 times higher odds of having an EBLL ≥5 µg/dL (95% CI 1.9 to 3.9, p < 0.001). When stratified by risk factor group, Black children had an adjusted 0.73 to 1.41 µg/dL more blood Pb (p < 0.001 respectively) and a 1.8 to 5.6 times higher odds of having an EBLL ≥5 µg/dL (p ≤ 0.05 respectively) for every selected risk factor that was tested. For Black children nationwide, one in four residing in pre-1950 housing and one in six living in poverty presented with an EBLL ≥5 µg/dL. In conclusion, significant nationwide racial disparity in blood Pb outcomes persist for predominantly African-American Black children even after correcting for risk factors and other variables. This racial disparity further persists within housing, socio-economic, and age-related risk factors of blood Pb outcomes that are much more severe for Black children.

scholarly journals Associations between Perceived Racial Discrimination and Tobacco Cessation among Diverse Treatment Seekers

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-420
Author(s):  
Monica Webb Hooper ◽  
Patricia Calixte-Civil ◽  
Christina Verzijl ◽  
Karen O. Brandon ◽  
Taghrid Asfar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Ethnic Discrimination ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
American Black ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Objectives: This study investigated a) racial/ethnic differences in past-year discrimination experiences and b) associa­tions between discrimination and smoking abstinence.Design: Prospective, longitudinal analysis of smoking status. Perceived past-year discrimi­nation was assessed at baseline. ANCOVAs and intent-to-treat hierarchical logistic regressions were conducted.Setting: Dual-site (Tampa, FL and Miami, FL) randomized controlled trial testing the effects of a group cessation intervention plus pharmacotherapy.Participants: Treatment-seeking adult smokers (N=347; non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic African American/Black, or Hispanic).Main Outcome Measures: Biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence (7-day ppa) was assessed immediately post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up.Results: After controlling for covari­ates, African Americans/Blacks reported greater perceived discrimination compared with non-Hispanic Whites (P=.02), and Hispanics (P=.06). Non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics did not differ in perceived racial/ethnic discrimination experiences over the past year. Irrespective of race/ ethnicity, past-year perceived discrimina­tion was inversely associated with 7-day ppa, both post-intervention (AOR=.97, CI: .95-.99) and at 6-months (AOR=.98, CI: .96-.99). Among African Americans/Blacks, past-year perceived discrimination was inversely associated with 7-day ppa, both post-intervention (AOR=.95, CI: .92-.97) and at 6-months (AOR=.97, CI: .94-.99). Perceived discrimination was unrelated to 7-day ppa among Hispanics. Among non-Hispanic Whites, past-year perceived discrimination was inversely associated with post-intervention 7-day ppa (AOR=.95, CI: .91-.99), but not 6-months.Conclusions: Perceived racial/ethnic discrimination was greater among African American/Black smokers compared with non-Hispanic Whites. Perceived discrimina­tion was negatively associated with tobacco cessation in the full sample, and for African Americans at 6-months post-intervention. These data have implications for interven­tion delivery and health disparities.Ethn Dis. 2020;30(3):411-420; doi:10.18865/ed.30.3.411

scholarly journals Application of the Weathering Framework: Intersection of Racism, Stigma, and COVID-19 as a Stressful Life Event among African Americans

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Fathima Wakeel ◽  
Anuli Njoku
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Stressful Life Event ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Life Event ◽  
Communities Of Color ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
The Life Course

The disproportionate impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on African American communities necessitates an increased focus on the intersectional roles of racism, stigma, and other social determinants of health in influencing disease and mortality risk. The Weathering Framework is applied to demonstrate the dynamic interrelationships between these factors and to conceptualize COVID-19 as a stressful life event that will have profound health implications over the life course for African Americans. Recommendations for population health research, interventions and policies aimed at reducing COVID-19 incidence and mortality, and mitigation of the long-term impacts of the pandemic on communities of color are discussed.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Genomic Landscape Between Primary Breast Cancer in African American Versus White Women and the Association of Racial Differences With Tumor Recurrence

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (31) ◽  
pp. 3621-3627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya Keenan ◽  
Beverly Moy ◽  
Edmund A. Mroz ◽  
Kenneth Ross ◽  
Andrzej Niemierko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Genetic Heterogeneity ◽  
Racial Disparity ◽  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
American Women

Purpose African American women are more likely to die as a result of breast cancer than white women. The influence of somatic genomic profiles on this racial disparity is unclear. We aimed to compare the racial distribution of tumor genomic characteristics and breast cancer recurrence. Methods We assessed white and African American women with stage I to III breast cancer diagnosed from 1988 to 2013 and primary tumors submitted to The Cancer Genome Atlas from 2010 to 2014. We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the association of race and genetic traits with tumor recurrence. Results We investigated exome sequencing and gene expression data in 663 and 711 white and 105 and 159 African American women, respectively. African Americans had more TP53 mutations (42.9% v 27.6%; P = .003) and fewer PIK3CA mutations (20.0% v 33.9%; P = .008). Intratumor genetic heterogeneity was greater in African American than white tumors overall by 5.1 units (95% CI, 2.4 to 7.7) and within triple-negative tumors by 4.1 units (95% CI, 1.4 to 6.8). African Americans had more basal tumors by the 50-gene set predictor using the predication analysis of microarray method (PAM50; 39.0% v 18.6%; P < .001) and fewer PAM50 luminal A tumors (17.0% v 34.7%; P < .001). Among triple-negative subtypes, African Americans had more basal-like 1 and mesenchymal stem-like tumors. African Americans had a higher risk of tumor recurrence than whites (hazard ratio, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.05 to 4.67). Racial differences in TP53 mutation, PAM50 basal subtype, and triple-negative tumor prevalence but not intratumor genetic heterogeneity influenced the magnitude and significance of the racial disparity in tumor recurrence. Conclusion African Americans had greater intratumor genetic heterogeneity and more basal gene expression tumors, even within triple-negative breast cancer. This pattern suggests more aggressive tumor biology in African Americans than whites, which could contribute to racial disparity in breast cancer outcome.

Topics of Marital Disagreement among African-American and Euro-American Newlyweds

2003 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Oggins
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Family Of Origin ◽  
Relative Frequency

To see what issues couples most and least often reported as topics of marital disagreement, survey data were analyzed for 113 African-American and 131 Euro-American couples reporting in the first and third years of marriage. Friedman tests showed that in both the first and third years of marriage, money was most often reported as a topic of marital disagreement; tensions about leisure, each spouse's family of origin, and children were reported significantly less often; and tensions about religion were reported least often. Findings were very similar for African Americans and Euro-Americans, and for husbands and wives. Overall, findings show considerable stability in the relative frequency with which specific topics reportedly evoke tension early in marriage.

Lost

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally McKee
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
New Orleans ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Wishful Thinking ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Free People Of Color ◽  
American Black ◽  
Black Man ◽  
Free People ◽  
Creoles Of Color

This chapter discusses how the free people of color in New Orleans pointed to Edmond Dede as an example of what African Americans could achieve if given opportunities like the ones he found in France. To his death, Creoles of color thought Dede was so unusually accomplished for an American black man that they elevated what little they knew about his life in France to the level of drama. Problems for the historian start with the realization that although the reports about his life were certainly exaggerated by his friends and admirers, some of the enhancements came from Dede himself. For those who seek to understand his opportunities and choices within their historical context, the process of separating fact from wishful thinking awakens a sympathy for the man who risked all and mustered the resources to act on his dreams.

scholarly journals ¡Venceremos! Harambee!: A Black & Puerto Rican Union?

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Lauren O'Brien
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Puerto Rican ◽  
Political Power ◽  
Puerto Ricans ◽  
Community Activism ◽  
Police Brutality ◽  
Communities Of Color ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dominant Narratives

In November of 1969, 2,700 members of Newark’s African American and Puerto Rican community assembled at the Black and Puerto Rican Political Convention to mobilize and strategize a plan to gain socio-political power. Unified through their discrimination in housing, employment, and police brutality, Newark’s communities of color resolved that the election of the city’s first Black mayor would provide a solution to many of their problems. Accordingly, the election of Kenneth Gibson validated the communities’ unified efforts and symbolized one of the most successful multiracial coalitions in Newark’s history. Although a monumental milestone, not all Newarkers remembered the convention as a symbol of hope and unity amongst Newark’s marginalized. For many Puerto Ricans, Gibson’s victory was the impetus for a major rift between Puerto Ricans and African Americans. While the history of the Black and Puerto Rican coalition is quite rich, it is largely unexamined within dominant narratives about the 1967 Newark Rebellion. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to excavate the details of the Black and Puerto Rican coalition in order to weave together a more complete, multiracial narrative about the Newark Rebellion that both includes and necessitates the legacy of Puerto Ricans within the long history of Newark community activism.

Islam among African-American Prisoners

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Feddes
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
The United States ◽  
Prison Inmates ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Demographic Group ◽  
Prison Policy ◽  
American Prison

African American prison inmates convert to Islam at a rate faster than any other demographic group in the United States. In this article, I focus on the Christian encounter with Islam among African Americans in prison. First, I examine the wider demographic and historical context influencing the rise of Islam among prisoners. I trace the tendency of African Americans initially to join heterodox Black Nationalist Islamic groups and then to move toward Sunni orthodoxy. I then explore why some African Americans, especially inmates, find Islam more attractive than other Americans do. I discuss prison policy changes that seek to accommodate Muslim practices within a society where the predominant faith is Christianity. Finally, I offer recommendations for Christians to meet challenges and seize opportunities in the encounter with Islam among African American prisoners.

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