The American journal of the medical sciences
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Missed appointments are problematic because they occupy an appointment that could have been used by another patient and represent lost resources for the hospital system. The objective of this study was to determine patient-related factors associated with missed appointments. ⋯ Patients with limited health literacy and current smokers had higher rates of missed appointments. In addition, patients who were compliant with screening mammography were also more likely to be compliant with appointments. Appointment reminders should be kept simple to accommodate the rapidly growing population with limited health literacy.
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Editorial Case Reports Historical Article
Booker T. Washington and the Secret of Hypertension in African Americans.
Booker T. Washington rose from slavery to become one of the most admired Americans of his time. ⋯ At that time the medical profession was just beginning to recognize the importance of hypertension as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In spite of intensive research fueled by ongoing speculation, why Washington might have been predisposed to the ravages of hypertension, and African Americans continue to be so predisposed, is a secret yet to be told.