Number 3,
July 2004
"The recently convened ISHIB conference in Detroit was an unqualified success," states ISHIB President, John M. Flack, MD, MPH. During the week of June 13, scientists, community health professionals, and medical faculty from around the world gathered to formulate answers to eliminate health disparities and reduce cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors among ethnic populations. ISHIB2004 addressed the theme, Disparities in Cardiovascular Health: Bridging the Great Divide. Sessions expanded knowledge about prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, especially among ethnic populations.
The conference examined inequalities in healthcare and offered recommendations for everyday practice. "Every year thousands of individuals die from cardiovascular disease," commented ISHIB2004 Scientific Co-Chair Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, vice-president and chief nursing officer at Cedars-Sinai Health System in Los Angeles. "ISHIB2004 offered opportunities for new research to be brought to those who can use it most--our frontline healthcare professionals caring for ethnic populations."
Held at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, ISHIB2004 featured 6 plenary sessions, 6 symposia, 6 workshops, and 57 poster and oral abstracts of new research on cardiovascular disease and related risk factors.
In coordination with the scientific program, this year's conference sponsored several Unite Detroit for Healthy Hearts! activities. The program brought together community leaders, business leaders, healthcare professionals, and residents to create a health promotion model for preventing cardiovascular disease. A cardiovascular risk assessment program, free to all residents, helped individuals take the first step to preventing cardiovascular disease.
ISHIB Links
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a blank email to insider@ishib.org.
Combination Therapy Significantly Lowers Blood Pressure, Helps More Patients Reach Treatment Goals
Data presented at ISHIB 2004 indicate that African-American patients with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure benefit from aggressive use of combination high blood pressure therapy. The study, Lotrel and Enalapril in African Americans with Diabetes (LEAAD), demonstrates that providing patients with a combination of two highly effective medications in one capsule helps them reach the rigorous blood pressure goal of <130/80 mm Hg.
"All patients, especially African Americans, should understand that diabetes and high blood pressure is a dangerous combination, which if left uncontrolled, significantly increases the risk of life-threatening complications," said Dr. John Flack, lead investigator of the study and associate chairman and chief quality officer at the department of medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Mich. "I urge all African Americans with both high blood pressure and diabetes to talk to their physicians about combination therapy, which this study demonstrates helps patients achieve blood pressure goals quickly and effectively."
LEAAD evaluated the effectiveness and safety of the combination of amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, and benazepril, an ACE inhibitor in a single-capsule versus enalapril, a commonly prescribed ACE inhibitor. The 269 African-American patients with type 2 diabetes participating in the trial were provided with the combination of amlodipine/benazepril or enalapril at the beginning of the 24-week study. In LEAAD, the majority of patients taking amlodipine/benazepril reached the blood pressure goal of <130/80 mm Hg. Sixty percent of patients treated with amlodipine/benazepril reached this target vs. 44% of those taking enalapril.
LEAAD was primarily designed to test the amount of time it took patients in the study to reach the blood pressure goal of less than 130/80 mm Hg. Those on amlodipine/benazepril reached the target blood pressure in about 10.1 weeks vs. 10.5 weeks for those on enalapril. LEAAD also demonstrated that patients taking amlodipine/benazepril experienced significantly greater blood pressure reductions than those on enalapril. Amlodipine/benazepril-treated patients experienced average blood pressure reductions of 20.7/14.4 mm Hg. In contrast, patients taking enalapril experienced average reductions of 13.9/10.5 mm Hg. Amlodipine/benazepril was generally well-tolerated by patients participating in LEAAD. The most common side effects experienced by patients taking amlodipine/benazepril were cough (13.6%), headache (11.4%) and edema (9.8%).
Ethnicity & Disease is the official journal of ISHIB. Subscribe today.
African-Americans are Unaware of High Kidney Disease Risk- Results from the NKDEP Survey
Although kidney failure and its leading causes disproportionately affect African Americans, they are largely unaware of their high risk and of preventive measures, according to the first comprehensive survey of African-Americans conducted by the NIH to assess the group's knowledge and awareness about kidney disease.
While 90% of African Americans surveyed had heard about kidney disease, only 15% felt their personal risk for developing the disease was higher than average, and fewer knew specifically how to prevent it. This gap in awareness raises serious concern, especially because 44% of respondents had at least one of the major risk factors for kidney disease--diabetes, high blood pressure, or a blood relative with the disease. In addition, only 17% named kidney disease as a consequence of diabetes, and only 8% named it as a consequence of hypertension. Only 2% were aware that they were at risk if they had a family member on dialysis. When asked about symptoms of early kidney disease, only 13% correctly said that there are none, while 64% expected early symptoms to include difficulty urinating, general pain, and frequent urination. These findings are important since kidney disease is a silent killer and can occur without symptoms. People can find themselves in the emergency room, on dialysis, before they even know they have a problem.
The National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) commissioned the survey in seven cities, including four pilot test markets: Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Jackson, Mississippi, in which 2,000 participants were surveyed. NKDEP is an initiative of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. NKDEP seeks to reduce morbidity and mortality from kidney disease by raising awareness about the seriousness of kidney disease, the importance of testing people at risk, and the availability of treatment options to prevent or slow kidney failure.
Because kidney disease disproportionately affects four times the number of African Americans as Caucasians, we clearly need to work closely within our community to educate those at risk. The good news for those at risk is that treatments are effective, but early diagnosis is critical. NKDEP is also targeting primary care physicians to increase awareness of risk factors for kidney disease, the importance of testing people who are at risk with measurement of renal function (GFR) and urine protein quantitation, and the availability of effective treatment and preventive measures. For more information, visit www.nkdep.nih.gov.
Janice P. Lea, MD
National Medical Spokesperson for NKDEP
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Dr. Lea is a long-standing member of ISHIB and serves on the Ethnicity & Disease editorial board.
Mediterranean Diet Decreases Markers of Inflammation
People who eat more fruit, whole grains, vegetables, olive oil, and other components of the Mediterranean diet have lower levels of markers for inflammation and coagulation which have been linked to heart disease, according to a study in the July 7, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
In this study by Christina Chrysohoou, MD, PhD, et al., researchers at Harokopio University and the University of Athens used data from the ATTICA Study, which collected information on the health, diet, physical activity, as well as blood tests and other information, from 1,514 men and 1,528 women living in and around Athens, Greece. All the participants used for this report were free of known cardiovascular disease.
The researchers focused on reported consumption of components of the Mediterranean diet, including daily servings of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, olive oil and low or non-fat dairy products. The diet also includes fish, poultry, potatoes, and nuts; but only occasional red meat. Moderate wine drinking is also included.
Participants who most closely followed the Mediterranean diet had lower levels of several markers of inflammation and coagulation than those whose diets were farthest from the desired diet. While these results appear to provide strong clues to how the Mediterranean diet works to reduce heart disease risk, further work will be needed to link the diet and blood test markers to actual health outcomes, including rates of heart disease and death.
Call for Abstracts
Current scientific research related to primary care and women's health is being accepted for presentation at the Fourth Annual
Primary Care and Prevention Conference, featuring the Ninth Annual HeLa Women's Health Conference, October 25-27, 2004, sponsored by the Morehouse School of Medicine.
Abstracts will be accepted in the following main categories,
with specific subcategories:
-
Disease Processes and Disparities
-
Health Maintenance and Prevention
-
Health Services / Policy
-
Social Determinants of Health
Researchers are asked to submit abstracts no later than August 16, 2004.
ISHIB Regional Symposium Series
Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity in African American Patients:
Therapeutic and Practical Approaches
The goal of this series is to address the use of specific pharmacological
therapy in ethnic populations for all cardiovascular-related conditions
(e.g., stroke, diabetes, lipid disorders, renal disease) and other health
disparities as they affect all ethnic minority populations. Consistent
with the mission of ISHIB, these programs will reflect current and future
therapies relevant to clinical, research and education activities that
will impact quality of life issues in the ethnic patient population. Register
now for the FREE continuing education program in Philadelphia to
convene September 25th. Up to 3.5 CME (0.35 CEU/CE) may be received
for completing this activity.
Download program information here.
This program is supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Abbott Laboratories.
Schedule
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - September 25, 2004
Atlanta, Georgia - December 11, 2004
National Black Nurses Association
32nd Annual Institute and Conference
August 4-8, 2004
San Francisco, California
Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control
11th Annual Scientific Meeting
August 26-28, 2004
New Orleans, Louisiana
ISHIB is proud to endorse this activity.
MEMBERS
ISHIB renewal information coming soon. Direct all membership inquires to member@ishib.org
ISHIB WELCOMES...
DAVID C. DILLON - PROGRAM MANAGER
Joining the ISHIB staff in May, Mr. Dillon comes to ISHIB with 10 years of experience in International Commercial Business with an emphasis in production and customer service. David brings to ISHIB exceptional organizational and analytical skills and a passion for public service work. Mr. Dillon is a proud graduate of the University of Delaware where he received a Masters in Public Administration. As program manager, David serves as Assistant Managing Editor for Ethnicity & Disease and Member Services Coordinator.
TRACY M. WILSON - EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CEO
The most recent addition to the ISHIB staff, Ms. Wilson brings to ISHIB over 10 years of professional experience in administration and finance. She previously held an administrative position with the Coca-Cola Company Finance Division. Tracy brings high level administrative skills and a team player attitude. Ms. Wilson is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Services at Mercer University.
NEW MEMBERS FOR 2004: Jamy D. Ard, MD; Birmingham, AL - Thomas R. Berg; Canton, MI - Forrest A. Daniels, MPA; Rockville, MD - Mark B. Golick, PharmD; Cranston, RI - Melanie Hanna-Johnson, MD; Detroit, MI - Cara L. Harry, BSN; Milwaukee, WI - Raymond Henkin, MD; Southfield, MI - Leena Hiremath, PhD; Columbus, OH - Raheal Hussain, PharmD; Bloomfield, NJ - Jerome A.E. Knight, BBA; St. Thomas, USVI - Monica D. Lawrence; Milwaukee, WI - Isaac Lloyd, PharmD; Seattle, WA - Winnie Martinez; Bethesda, MD - Christine L. Melani, PharmD; Pittsburgh, PA - Mary A. Nies, PhD, RN; Detroit, MI - Eni C. Okonofua, MD; Charleston, SC - James Rawlings; New Haven, CT - Blair Robertson, DPhil; Abbott Park, IL - Tariq Shafi, MD; Detroit, MI - Sean Wharton, MD, PharmD; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada - Christina S. Wilson, PhD; Morgantown, WV - LaShun C. Wright, MSA; Atlanta, GA
Call for Participants
Dynamic individuals who are ready to make a change toward a healthy lifestyle as well as dietitians, nutritionists and fitness trainers.
Are you or someone you know ready to make a change in life to get in shape and lose weight? Or have you already lost a significant amount of weight, kept it off for years, and now mentor others to lose weight? KPI is producing a documentary series for the Discovery Health Channel's National Body Challenge. Each one-hour show will focus on an individual's journey to lose weight and get in shape. Filming begins in fall 2004 and applicants must be willing to be filmed regularly over a period of four months. Contact KPI by email at bodychallenge@kpitv.com or by phone at 212.494.9127. Please provide name, phone number, and a brief statement about why you or somone else should be profiled in a documentary about weight loss.