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American-Born Blacks Have Higher Asthma Rates

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A first of its kind study conducted in Dorchester, Mass. shows that Blacks born in America are three times more likely to have asthma than Blacks born in other countries. But medical authorities are not sure why such a large difference exists. The study was published in the November edition of the Journal of Asthma. The study was presided over by researchers at Tufts University’s medical school beginning in 2005.

Head researcher Doug Brugge said he was surprised by the study results saying, “We were used to thinking that people coming from developing countries have worse health.” U.S.-born Blacks also tend to have higher asthma rates than America-born Whites. Theories regarding the disparity range from foreign-born Blacks having greater exposure to sunlight while U.S.-born Blacks, especially those in the inner city, spend more time cooped up inside homes and apartments where substances including mold and cockroach droppings may trigger asthma.


 

Health Group Donates to MLK Memorial


UnitedHealth Group Executive Vice President Anthony Welters presented a $1 million check to the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. on Mon., Dec. 8. Harry E. Johnson, president and CEO of the foundation and General Colin Powell, a member of the Foundation’s Executive Leadership Cabinet, participated in the check ceremony.

“UnitedHealth Group’s $1 million donation adds to the significant momentum surrounding the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial fundraising effort,” Powell said. “Sustaining the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. for our children through the creation of this memorial is a cause we are honored to support,” Welters said. “The values of equality and social change that Dr. King championed inspire UnitedHealth Group's commitment each day to advancing social responsibility and diversity in ways that foster a healthy society and a healthy company.”

The check presentation took place at the National Building Museum, which houses the foundation. Additional participants included Reed V. Tuckson, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief of Medical Affairs of UnitedHealth Group, William A. Munsell, Executive Vice President of UnitedHealth Group, Richard Marshall, CFO of the Memorial Foundation, and Dr. Ed Jackson, Executive Architect of the Memorial Foundation. The Memorial Foundation has raised $102 million out of the needed $120 million. Former president Bill Clinton will help the Foundation raise a portion of the remaining funds when he headlines a Miami Dream Dinner on Jan. 8.

 

Last modified on Friday, 09 January 2009 22:32
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Published in Health Archive
More in this category: « Vaccine May Hold Promise for African American Patients UNC Launches 44-County Study of Breast Cancer in Black Women »

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