Cultural Competence

CHICAGO — A new report by Mintel may shed new light on the reasons why African-Americans diet.

According to the research, while 70% of African-American adults surveyed said they limit the amount and/or kind of food they eat to boost their general wellness, 52% are eating healthier to prevent or control high blood pressure and 46% said they follow a diet to maintain their current weight.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday named Steve Pemberton the company’s divisional VP diversity and inclusion, making him the company’s first chief diversity officer.

PHOENIX — AmeriCares and the Healthcare Distribution Management Association on Monday awarded the annual Power of Partnership Award to AstraZeneca for the company’s commitment to increasing access to health care for people in need, both here at home and throughout the developing world, during HDMA’s Business Leadership Conference on Monday.

WESTON, Mass. — Biogen Idec is looking to address the advantages and challenges female clinicians experience in treating patients living with multiple sclerosis through a new educational initiative.

NEW YORK — Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that patients with diabetes are at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis, a deadly bacterial disease, than nondiabetics.

The study investigators discovered among 233 patients that were diagnosed with TB between March 2006 and March 2008 — which included 61 patients in southern Texas and 172 in northeastern Mexico — 25% of TB cases were attributed to the presence of diabetes, while 6% of TB cases were caused by HIV.

NEW YORK — Such mood disorders as anxiety and depression may be a precursor to diabetes in Latinos, according to a study by University of California at San Diego researchers scheduled for presentation at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting in Honolulu.

As reported in the Los Angeles Times, the researchers found that while Latinos have higher-than-average rates of diabetes, they also seem to have higher-than-average risk of having both diabetes and a mood disorder.

ATLANTA — Swimmer’s ear accounts for as many as 2.4 million doctor visits and nearly $500 million in healthcare costs annually, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report published Thursday in its "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" found.

NEW YORK — State lawmakers in New York have introduced legislation that would require simplifying and translating medication labels and providing oral interpretation services.