J Natl Med Assoc
-
Current projections anticipate a dramatic shift from historical population demographics in the United States. Racial and ethnic minorities are expected to constitute the majority of the population by 2050. However, racial minorities continue to be underrepresented in medical school admissions and the physician workforce. Creating a medical student and physician workforce that reflects population demographics of their patients will be an important determinant in promoting public health and health equity. ⋯ The authors call on medical students across the country to join in pursuit of health equity and a diverse physician workforce that reflects the evolving demographics of the United States. Medical students can impact the health of local communities through implementation of educational outreach programming to facilitate access to medical education for middle and high school students.
-
There is very limited comprehensive information on disparate outcomes of black and white patients with COVID-19 infection. Reports from cities and states have suggested a discordant impact on black Americans, but no nationwide study has yet been performed. We sought to understand the differential outcomes for black and white Americans infected with COVID-19. ⋯ Despite the initial descriptions of COVID-19 being a disease that affects all individuals, regardless of station, our data demonstrate the differential racial effects in the United States. This current pandemic reinforces the need to assess the unequal effects of crises on disadvantaged populations to promote population health.
-
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has targeted hospital readmissions, which cost $17 billion per year, as one potential solution to reduce rising health care costs. Studies have documented the ability of Transitions of care (TOC) services to reduce readmissions in high risk patients. However, the vast majority of studies have not explored TOC services for all-cause admissions nor TOC clinics led by hospitalists. The goal of this study is to provide preliminary data regarding the potential effectiveness of a hospitalist-led TOC clinic servicing all patients on hospital readmission rates. ⋯ Among Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and commercial health insurance patients, this hospitalist-led TOC intervention was associated with a statistically significant reduction in 30-day readmissions following discharge for all-cause hospital admissions.
-
Individuals with hemoglobinopathies experience complications that often require management with multiple transfusions. These chronic transfusions can lead to iron overload, which places them at increased risk of organ damage, malignancy, and even death. Deferasirox is the most common iron chelator used to treat iron overload due to its safety, efficacy, and oral administration. The first formulation of deferasirox, a dispersible tablet for oral suspension (DT) called Exjade®, was associated with adherence challenges due to complaints from poor taste and side effects such as abdominal discomfort. A new film-coated tablet formulation (FCT) called Jadenu® was subsequently developed to overcome these challenges. ⋯ There was significant improvement in adherence to iron chelation therapy when patients transitioned from deferasirox DT to deferasirox FCT.