Cultural Competence

GOLDEN, Colo. — A survey by the National Pain Foundation of more than 300 people who live with chronic pain is shedding light on how chronic pain sufferers are treated by their healthcare providers.  

The findings revealed that pain patients are uncomfortable when visiting their pharmacy. Fifty-two percent said they "are concerned that they will be treated like a drug addict by their pharmacist," with 29% expressing concern that they would "be embarrassed by their pharmacist."

LIVERPOOL, England — Study results announced Thursday by Novo Nordisk and collaborative partners found that participation in diabetes education is associated with a greater sense of well-being and the ability to self-manage diabetes.

However, more than three-quarters of people with diabetes in the United Kingdom (78%) have never attended a diabetes education program, and family members are rarely included (79%). Additionally, only 14% of healthcare professionals say that all their patients with diabetes are offered structured diabetes education classes.

SEBASTOPOL, Calif. — According to a new survey by Traditional Medicinals, use of natural remedies has increased recently, with more than 1-in-3 (35%) Americans reporting they do more today to take care of themselves with natural remedies than they did five years ago. Education about natural remedies, however, is lacking. Nearly 2-in-5 (39%) of those who don’t already only use natural remedies for their health needs would be motivated to do so if they knew more about them.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Pharmacy on Friday announced it will be hosting college students from across the nation this week. Students from as far away as New Mexico State will be participating in an expanded version of Diplomat’s Alternative Spring Break program that kicked off Monday. 

Also serving with New Mexico State will be students and staff members from Michigan State, Virginia Tech and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association earlier this week voiced support for keeping over-the-counter bronchodilators in the OTC Monograph during a recent meeting of the Food and Drug Administration’s Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee. 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Wegmans blogger Mary Ellen Burris, SVP consumer affairs Wegmans, earlier this week outlined the grocer's services for those patients who speak English as a second language or who don't speak English at all. 

ATLANTA — The latest obesity data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, published in the Feb. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed a significant decline in obesity among children aged 2 to 5 years. Obesity prevalence for this age group went from nearly 14% in 2003-2004 to just more than 8% in 2011-2012 — a decline of 43% — based on CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. 

NEW YORK — The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, the landmark research study of Hispanic/Latino health funded by the National Institutes of Health, on Tuesday released initial findings that showed significant variations in disease prevalence and health behaviors among groups with different backgrounds.