Consequences of a match made in hell: the harm caused by menthol smoking to the African American population over 1980–2018

2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2021-056748 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mendez ◽  
Thuy T T Le
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Smoking Initiation ◽  
African American Community ◽  
American Population ◽  
The Public ◽  
African American Population ◽  
Menthol Cigarettes ◽  
Life Years

BackgroundFor many years, national surveys have shown a consistently disproportionately high prevalence of menthol smokers among African Americans compared with the general population. However, to our knowledge, no prior study has quantified the harm that menthol smoking has caused on that population. In this work, we estimate the public health harm that menthol cigarettes have caused to the African American community over the last four decades.MethodsUsing National Health Interview Survey data, we employed a well-established simulation model to reproduce the observed smoking trajectory over 1980–2018 in the African American population. Then, we repeat the experiment, removing the effects of menthol on the smoking initiation and cessation rates over that period, obtaining a new hypothetical smoking trajectory. Finally, we compared both scenarios to calculate the public health harm attributable to menthol cigarettes over 1980–2018.ResultsOur results show that menthol cigarettes were responsible for 1.5 million new smokers, 157 000 smoking-related premature deaths and 1.5 million life-years lost among African Americans over 1980–2018. While African Americans constitute 12% of the total US population, these figures represent, respectively, a staggering 15%, 41% and 50% of the total menthol-related harm.DiscussionOur results show that menthol cigarettes disproportionally harmed African Americans significantly over the last 38 years and are responsible for exacerbating health disparities among that population. Removing menthol cigarettes from the market would benefit the overall US population but, particularly, the African American community.

scholarly journals Race War Flares Up: Chicago’s Swedish Press, the Great Migration, and the 1919 Riots

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-22
Author(s):  
Ulf Jonas Björk
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Ethnic Group ◽  
English Language ◽  
African American Community ◽  
American Population ◽  
African American Population ◽  
The North ◽  
The Great Migration ◽  
Race War

This study of the three large Swedish-language weeklies in Chicago examines how they covered the city’s African-American community during the latter half of the 1910s, a time when blacks migrated to the North in huge numbers. In Chicago, the result was that the African-American population almost tripled between 1910 and 1920. Little of that was visible in the columns of the weeklies, however, with only a handful of items telling readers that blacks were arriving in record numbers. What news there was about African-Americans, moreover, tended to portray them as criminals. Consequently, the riots that shook Chicago in late July 1919 seemed to take the editors of the weeklies by surprise. A major explanation for the Swedish weeklies’ coverage was that they relied almost exclusively on the city’s English-language dailies for news that did not concern their own ethnic group and thus mirrored the negative way the dailies portrayed African-Americans.

Emancipation and Free African Americans

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Archer
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
New England ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
New Hampshire ◽  
Jim Crow ◽  
African Descent ◽  
American Population ◽  
African American Population ◽  
Free African Americans

Except in parts of Rhode Island and Connecticut, slavery was a peripheral institution, and throughout New England during and after the Revolution there was widespread support to emancipate slaves. Some of the states enacted emancipation laws that theoretically allowed slavery to continue almost indefinitely, and slavery remained on the books as late as 1857 in New Hampshire. Although the laws gradually abolished slavery and although the pace was painfully slow for those still enslaved, the predominant dynamic for New England society was the sudden emergence of a substantial, free African American population. What developed was an even more virulent racism and a Jim Crow environment. The last part of the chapter is an analysis of where African Americans lived as of 1830 and the connection between racism and concentrations of people of African descent.

scholarly journals The Ramifications of Covid-19 Within the African American Community

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
Libby Goodman ◽  
Fayetta Lake ◽  
Chinyere Maureen Ndu
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
African American Community ◽  
Current Policy ◽  
African American Culture ◽  
African American Population ◽  
General Article ◽  
Perceived Reasons ◽  
Healthcare Leaders

The coronavirus (Covid-19) perplexed many aspects of everyday life. Sadly, Covid-19 took a greater toll on African Americans. As Covid-19 developed, medical professionals, health care authorities, and advocates recognized several day-to-day living situations and intrinsic medical conditions that distressed African Americans with higher mortality rates during the pandemic. It is imperative that healthcare leaders understand the ramifications that have occurred and that may continue to surface from the Covid-19 affliction, which could be utilized to adjust and amend current policy surrounding the adversely affected African American population. We explored several substantial questions regarding this pandemic: the perceived reasons for the vast impact of Covid-19 within the African American culture; and what recommendations are needed to aid healthcare leaders in the fight against Covid-19 within the African American community. There are six ramifications that the authors address in this general article, including- employment, poverty, deaths, mental illness, and distrust. We offer suggestions to implement, prevent, and educate the African American public to circumvent these ramifications for present and future pandemics.

Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (PLD), Vincristine and Reduced-Dose Dexamethasone (DVd) in the Treatment of Predominantly African American Population with Multiple Myeloma.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 5105-5105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anshul Bamrolia ◽  
Ahmad Jajeh ◽  
R. Catchatourian ◽  
David Osafo ◽  
Deimante Tamkus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Liposomal Doxorubicin ◽  
Mononuclear Phagocytes ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Phospholipid Vesicle ◽  
American Population ◽  
African American Population

Abstract Biologic therapy is emerging as first line therapy for multiple myeloma. However, most patients will require multiple lines of treatments and chemotherapy remains a very good option. In the last few years, there has been an important recognition of potentially different responses to pharmaceuticals based on genetic predisposition, starting with the FDA advisory panel recommending approval of a heart failure drug for African Americans. Liposomal doxorubicin (DOXIL; PLD) is a microscopic pegylated phospholipid vesicle with a core containing conventional doxorubicin. The pegylated coat protects the liposomes from detection by mononuclear phagocytes, increasing blood circulation time (t1/2=55 hours). Due to its prolonged half life, PLD provides a similar effect to using continuous infusion doxorubicin, but administered over 1-hour, transforming the regimen into an outpatient treatment. PLD has also been shown to have a significantly better safety profile than conventional doxorubicin. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of DVd in a predominantly African American population. A phase II trial using DVd was started in October 2000(PLD 40 mg/m2, vincristine 2 mg IVP and dexamethasone 40 mg PO 1-4 d every 4-weeks). Thirty-four patients have received DVd (15 males/19 females: mean age 59 years [range 42–77]) (five patients were off-study but received DVd per protocol). The majority of patients are African American (70%), a patient population not commonly studied. Patients presented with relatively advanced disease (stage II–III). Baseline mean serum albumin level was 3.5 mg/dl (range 1.8 to 4.9), beta-2 microglobulin 4.09 (range 1.0–8.97). Seventeen patients had IgG Kappa, seven patients had IgG lambda, six patients had IgA and four patients had light chain disease. Twenty five patients completed six cycles of therapy, with two patients completing five cycles. Six patients underwent autologous bone marrow transplant following their response to DVd. Response was assessed on the basis of a reduction of the paraprotein in serum or urine that lasted for at least six weeks. A response was achieved in 27 patients of whom 15 had a CR or nCR. 2 patients had stable disease, and disease progressed in four patients based on Blade Response Assessment. One patient died before response could be assessed. Median follow up is 36 months (range 3 months to 5 years). Our median time to progression is approximately 1 year. Twenty four patients are still alive, one patient has been lost to follow up and nine deaths have occurred. Four early deaths were due to disease progression and sepsis. Three of the early deaths had amyloidosis. Two died after one year of therapy due to progressive refractory disease. One died after the second cycle because of sudden cardiac death with sepsis. No episodes of cardiac dysfunction were observed. For African Americans, who have a high incidence of hypertension, renal and cardiovascular disease, a cardiac safer liposomal doxorubicin may be the preferred form of anthracyline.

scholarly journals Stay-at-Home Orders, African American Population, Poverty and State-level Covid-19 Infections: Are there associations?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangeetha Padalabalanarayanan ◽  
Vidya Sagar Hanumanthu ◽  
Bisakha P. Sen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
African American ◽  
State Level ◽  
American Population ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
African American Population ◽  
Log Linear ◽  
Health Experts ◽  
At Home

AbstractImportanceTo cope with the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, state and local health officials need information on the effectiveness of policies aimed at curbing contagion, as well as area-specific socio-demographic characteristics that can portend vulnerability to the disease.ObjectiveTo investigate whether state-imposed stay-at-home orders, African American population in the state, state poverty and other state socio-demographic characteristics, were associated with the state-level incidence of COVID-19 infection.Design, Setting, ParticipantsState-level, aggregated, publicly available data on positive COVID-19 cases and tests were used. The period considered was March 1st-May 4th. All U.S. states except Washington were included. Outcomes of interest were daily cumulative and daily incremental COVID-19 infection rates. Outcomes were log-transformed. Log-linear regression models with a quadratic time-trend and random intercepts for states were estimated. Covariates included log-transformed test-rates, a binary indicator for stay-at-home, percentage of African American, poverty, percentage elderly, state population and prevalence of selected comorbidities. Binary ‘fixed effects’ for date each state first started reporting test data were included.ResultsStay-at-home orders were associated with decreases in cumulative (β:-1.23; T-stat: - 6.84) and daily (β:-0.46; T-stat: −2.56) infection-rates. Predictive analyses indicated that expected cumulative infection rates would be 3 times higher and expected daily incremental rates about 60% higher in absence of stay-at-home orders. Higher African American population was associated with higher cumulative (β: 0.08; T-stat: 4.01) and daily (β: 0.06; T-stat: 3.50) rates. State poverty rates had mixed results and were not robust to model specifications. There was strong evidence of a quadratic daily trend for cumulative and daily rates. Results were largely robust to alternate specifications.ConclusionsWe find evidence that stay-at-home orders, which were widely supported by public-health experts, helped to substantially curb COVID-19 infection-rates. As we move to a phased re-opening, continued precautions advised by public-health experts should be adhered to. Also, a larger African American population is strongly associated with incidence of COVID-19 infection. Policies and resources to help mitigate African American vulnerability to COVID-19 is an urgent public health and social justice issue, especially since the ongoing mass protests against police brutality may further exacerbate COVID-19 contagion in this community.Key PointsQuestionDid the stay-at-home orders, African American population and other socio demographic factors across states have any associations with COVID-19 infection rates across states?FindingsMultivariate log-linear regression models using daily state level data from March-May found evidence that when stay-at-home orders were implemented, they helped reduce state COVID-19 cumulative and daily infection rates substantially. Further, we found that states with larger African-American population had higher COVID-19 infection rates.MeaningResults suggest that state-level stay-at-home orders helped reduce COVID-19 infection rates substantially, and also that African American populations may be especially vulnerable to COVID-19 infection.

scholarly journals Community-Led Action to Reduce Menthol Cigarette Use in the African American Community

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 72S-81S ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Kingsbury ◽  
Asha Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Change Agents ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Health Department ◽  
African American Community ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Menthol Cigarette

Background. African Americans suffer a disproportionate burden of tobacco harm and researchers have posited that menthol cigarettes are a key contributor to this disparity. In 2015, a county health department and African American community-based organization (CBO) in Minnesota partnered to educate and engage the African American community on menthol and its role in tobacco-related health disparities. The following case study describes successes, challenges, and recommendations from this work. We focus on the role of a public health and community partnership in menthol policy adoption so others can more effectively implement a community-driven approach in their own communities. Methods. Interviews were conducted with local and state public health staff, leadership from the CBO, youth coordinators, and change agents—that is, leaders in the African American community recruited to educate and engage the community on menthol. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed in Atlas.ti using thematic analysis. Results. Participants identified several successes: (1) assessment data from community members helped inform policy decision making, (2) collaboration between local public health and CBO was powerful and a key to success, and (3) change agents were trusted communicators and effectively engaged and provided education to the community. Participants faced challenges related to stylistic and cultural differences in communication. Participants recommended engaging youth and incorporating cessation into the broader context of issues systemically affecting African American communities (e.g., economic inequity, police violence, incarceration). Implications. Menthol tobacco restrictions have the potential to reduce tobacco-related health inequities for African Americans. Findings highlight the role that public health and community partnerships can play in supporting this critical work to effect policy change.

scholarly journals Public health implications of vaping in the USA: the smoking and vaping simulation model

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David T. Levy ◽  
Jamie Tam ◽  
Luz María Sanchez-Romero ◽  
Yameng Li ◽  
Zhe Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Smoking Initiation ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Health Implications ◽  
The Public ◽  
Life Years ◽  
The Usa

Abstract Background Nicotine vaping products (NVPs) are increasingly popular worldwide. They may provide public health benefits if used as a substitute for smoking, but may create public health harms if used as a gateway to smoking or to discourage smoking cessation. This paper presents the Smoking and Vaping Model (SAVM), a user-friendly model which estimates the public health implications of NVPs in the USA. Methods SAVM adopts a cohort approach. We derive public health implications by comparing smoking- and NVP-attributable deaths and life-years lost under a No-NVP and an NVP Scenario. The No-NVP Scenario projects current, former, and never smoking rates via smoking initiation and cessation rates, with their respective mortality rates. The NVP Scenario allows for smoking- and NVP-specific mortality rates, switching from cigarette to NVP use, separate NVP and smoking initiation rates, and separate NVP and smoking cessation rates. After validating the model against recent US survey data, we present the base model with extensive sensitivity analyses. Results The SAVM projects that under current patterns of US NVP use and substitution, NVP use will translate into 1.8 million premature smoking- and vaping-attributable deaths avoided and 38.9 million life-years gained between 2013 and 2060. When the NVP relative risk is set to 5%, the results are sensitive to the level of switching and smoking cessation rates and to a lesser extent smoking initiation rates. When the NVP relative risk is raised to 40%, the public health gains in terms of averted deaths and LYL are reduced by 42% in the base case, and the results become much more sensitive to variations in the base case parameters. Discussion Policymakers, researchers, and other public health stakeholders can apply the SAVM to estimate the potential public health impact of NVPs in their country or region using their own data sources. In developing new simulation models involving NVPs, it will be important to conduct extensive sensitivity analysis and continually update and validate with new data. Conclusion The SAVM indicates the potential benefits of NVP use. However, given the uncertainty surrounding model parameters, extensive sensitivity analysis becomes particularly important.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of Instruments to Assess Potential Religion-Health Mechanisms in an African American Population

2009 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl L. Holt ◽  
Eddie M. Clark ◽  
David Roth ◽  
Martha Crowther ◽  
Connie Kohler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Religious Involvement ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
American Population ◽  
Internal Reliability ◽  
African American Population ◽  
Development And Validation

The health disparities that negatively affect African Americans are well-documented; however, there are also many sociocultural factors that may play a protective role in health outcomes. Religious involvement is noted to be important in the African American community and to have a positive association with health outcomes. However, few studies have explained why this relationship exists. This article reports on the development and validation of instruments to assess two proposed mediators of the relationship between religiosity and health for an African American population: perceived religious influence on health behaviors and illness as punishment from a higher power . We used a systematic iterative process, including interviews and questionnaire data from African Americans who provided feedback on item wording. We also solicited input from African American pastors. In a sample of 55 African Americans, the instruments appeared to have strong internal reliability (α = .74 and .91, respectively) as well as test-retest reliability (r = .65, .84, respectively, p < .001). Evidence for construct validity is also discussed, as are recommendations for health disparities research using these instruments.

Juden und Tuberkulose

Aschkenas ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-93
Author(s):  
Klaus Hödl
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Jewish Population ◽  
Medical Discourse ◽  
White Americans ◽  
American Population ◽  
Historical Evidence ◽  
Medical Texts ◽  
African American Population

Abstract In my article, I discuss the American debate on the predisposition of Jews in the 19th and early 20th centuries toward tuberculosis. In focusing on the illness, I compare the Jewish population with the African American population. While physicians at the time thought that there was widespread immunity to the disease among Jews, it was reported that there was an above-average number of cases among African Americans. Both groups differed significantly from white Americans. I argue that not only differences but similarities between Jews and non-Jews, too, were written into the medical discourse at the time. I demonstrate this through an analysis of contemporary medical texts. I believe that historians have overwhelmingly neglected to incorporate such publications into their analyses, because they feared that the historical evidence they contain might challenge their assumptions.

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