December 14, 2009 at 3:33 pm · Filed under Reporting on ethnic communities, health reporting
Out of the CDC’s recent briefing here came a nugget of news that needs to be followed up. Why are Latino and African-American patients suffering higher rates of the illness that lead to hospitalizations? The experts offered some explanations for the differences, but they said more investigating needed to be done to tell what’s happening
So that’s where you need to fill in the questions.
If someone comes up with a story that deals with this, please let me know – Steve
Here is a story from New America Media about that event that you are welcome to use. Simply credit the New America Media.
(www.newamericamedia.org) and them know if you do.CDC to Chicago Media: H1N1 Outbreaks May Be Ebbing But Stay Vigilant
New America Media, News report, Khalil Abdullah, Posted: Dec 12, 2009
CHICAGO – Since H1N1 was first reported in April, three times as many African Americans and Latinos have been hospitalized with “swine flu” in Illinois than non-Hispanic whites, according to data compiled by the Illinois Department of Public Health. “That’s a considerable difference,” acknowledged Dr. Craig Conover, medical director of the department’s Division of Infectious Diseases.
As of Dec. 4, Illinois has had 2,187 “lab-confirmed” H1N1 hospitalizations and 67 deaths. The state’s death rate tracks along similar lines — though at only twice that of non-Hispanic whites — for the same two ethnic groups. For all the concern about the immature immune systems of children or the deteriorating ones of the elderly, 26 individuals, or more than one-third of Illinois’s H1N1 deaths, were adults between the ages of 26 and 49, the largest cohort.
Dr. Felipe Lobelo, an epidemic intelligence service officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noted, “Hispanics and African Americans have high rates of chronic diseases,” like asthma and diabetes. Those diseases can weaken the body’s immune system, leaving a person more susceptible to H1N1 and to the seasonal flu as well.
Lobelo joined Conover and other health professionals on a panel convened by the CDC in collaboration with New America Media. The Dec. 4 discussion was the last in a series of CDC-NAM H1N1 briefings this year held specifically for ethnic media in eight U.S. cities.
Dr. Tyra Bryant-Stephens, medical director of the Community Asthma Prevention Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, explained that the flu is not the common cold. It is a “serious disease,” she said, and it is opportunistic. Individuals affected by asthma “already have inflammation of their airways,” a potentially dangerous pre-condition for diseases like the flu to attack the body’s respiratory system. She noted that asthma is especially prevalent in urban American communities where African Americans and Hispanics often reside.
“One out of four [urban children] have asthma,” Bryant-Stephens said.
Panel members also noted that lack of access to primary health care and lower vaccination rates among ethnic groups, as compared to the general population, may also be contributing factors to the striking differences in hospitalizations and deaths. Conover and other Illinois health officials said they are aggressively promoting a 311 call-in line where the public can get assistance in any language.
Each speaker emphasized the need for the public to pursue vaccinations for H1N1 and the seasonal flu.
“Seasonal flu may show up this year or next year,” said Capt. Raymond Strikas, a medical officer of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Vaccine Program. He said that though data show that the H1N1 outbreak may be ebbing, “flu activity remains high in the United States.” However, Strikas assured attendant media that the volume of H1N1 vaccine available is increasing by six to eight million doses weekly.
One reason for the initial shortage of H1N1 doses was the decision to use the traditional method of growing a safe vaccine by using chicken eggs, Strikas explained. H1N1 grew more slowly than anticipated, thus accounting for some of the production delays.
On a related note, Strikas said that health officials are closely monitoring reports of a few patients in the United States who have contracted a mutated flu strain resistant to Tamiflu. He said that other drugs are available to treat those patients and that the public needs to focus on preventative steps, including basic hygiene like hand-washing, to ward off flu infections.
As in the other seven cities where CDC-NAM briefings were held, Chicago’s ethnic media asked the panel to explain the policy on vaccinations for the undocumented immigrant population. A spokesperson for Cook County’s health department, which covers the “windy city” and its nearby environs, said that upon administering vaccinations, “we do ask where you reside, but [we] don’t ask for proof of residency.”
Another journalist asked if someone with a comprised immune system or someone from an at-risk population had to bring proof of their medical condition in order to receive a shot when the vaccine was being rationed. “Nobody needs to bring a doctor’s note,” answered Dr. Julie Morita, medical director for the Chicago Department of Public Health’s Immunization Program.
May Ju, a producer at New Tang Dynasty Television, asked whether U.S. health officials had given any consideration to instituting a temporary quarantine period for travelers arriving in the United States from countries like China. Countries sometimes underreport infectious disease rates for reasons related to preserving a positive international image or maintaining their tourism industry, she noted.
The panel members said there is no such plan. Strikas did point out, however, that “China has taken a lot of heat” because of its slowness to respond and inform the world community about infectious disease outbreaks, like SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003. But he expects China to be more forthcoming in reporting to international health agencies. Strikas said it is incumbent on the United States to maintain “vigorous surveillance.”
With November data still pending, the CDC mid-level range estimates that there have been 3,900 H1N1-related deaths in the United States as of Oct. 17. The World Health Organization has reported more than 7,800 H1N1-related deaths worldwide from April through November. Though it may appear that the United States is ground zero for H1N1 deaths due to its high percentage of the total number of deaths worldwide, one epidemiologist cautioned that many countries simply do not have the capacity to monitor or report the disease’s impact.
December 1, 2009 at 5:30 pm · Filed under health reporting
When the Chicago Defender checked on the situation in early November, blacks were not lining up for H1N1 shots. And that was the case even though city officials say they had pumped up their effort to get folks to get the shots.
But that seems to be the case across the country and for large numbers in the nation’s immigrant and minority communities.
What does this matter?
If you want to tell this story and to hear the details from the government, come to a press briefing this Friday sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Medical experts from across the country will be on hand to talk about the virus, its possible impact on ethnic communities, the availability and the effectivity of the vaccinations.
They will be meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the University Center, Park-Fountain Room, 525 S. State St., Chicago, Il. 60605
Here is a story from the Westside Gazette of Fort Lauderale, Fla. that raises some issues — issues you will probably want to talk about on Friday. See you there,
saludos,
Stephen
ThIn its mildest form, the HlNl swine flu virus amounts to little more than a cough, mild temperature and the general malaise that accompanies a stuffy head cold. In its more virulent form, the illness can lead to pneumonia or other respiratory conditions that can sometimes be fatal.
Now, researchers are beginning to suspect that Blacks and Latinos face far greater risks of contracting the H1N1 swine flu virus. The reason for the difference in severity has been linked to Blacks / Latinos’ high incidents of asthma and complications stemming from that condition. Consequently, both ethnic groups are often harder hit by the virus and more likely to wind up in the hospital than other ethnic communities.
That unsettling realization emerged from information gathered by Boston, Mass. health officials. Currently, African Americans comprise 25 percent of that city’s overall population, but account for 37 percent of all its swine flu cases. Similarly, Latinos comprise 14 percent of the city’s population, but make up over 33 percent of newly-confirmed H1N1 cases.
H1N1 hitting Black/Latino children harder
Authorities attributed the rise in numbers among minorities primarily to the city’s overcrowded and predominantly Black public school system, along with the fact that many parents, facing hard economic times and an uncertain employment market, are often reluctant to stay home from work when their children become ill.
“For some parents in lowerwage jobs, if they don’t show up at work, they don’t get paid and people may already be on the economic margins,” stated Dr. Anita Barry with the Boston Public Health Commission. “So parents were desperate to get some of these children back in school.”
Could this be a scenario that will be played out in South Florida in the coming months, some in the medical field wonder, given the high concentrations of minority students attending some PBC schools that are located in relatively poor areas of the county?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A-influenza virus. Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change [or mutate] constantly. It is possible for pigs to become infected by avian [bird] influenza, and human viruses, as well as other swine flu viruses. When all of these viruses mix in the host pig, a whole new. set of viruses can form. The problem comes in because most people have no immunity to these new influenza viruses. As of mid July, 2009 a total of 33,902 laboratory-confirmed cases were documented in the U.S. although it is widely accepted that the true number of persons infected with H1N1 is well over a million and rising. Florida currently ranks among the top six states in the nation hardest hit by the swine flu virus, which is 20 times more prevalent among five-24-year-olds than people over 65, although, so far, it is spreading in a mild form.
Swine flu prevention
Nate Harrington, spokesperson for the Palm Beach County School District, recently spoke at some length about the H1N1 virus and how the District is dealing with it. Stating that there hasn’t been an outbreak of swine flu in the PBC School District to date, Harrington attributed their success to strict vigilance on the part of school staff.
“If students come to school, they’re immediately sent home. As soon as they’re identified coming off the bus, by staff trained to identify symptoms, they are isolated in a safe room, while staff telephone their parents to pick them up.” At no time are they “allowed to join the general population. Same policy holds with employees,” he said adding. “If you’re sick, stay home and call your doctor.”
Harrington also noted that the District basically gets its information and cue from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), via the Palm Beach County Health Dept; He made it clear, however, that the District is not into diagnosing or confirming any swine flu cases; their objective was merely to protect children under their charge.
Health experts advise people to take careful precautions to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus. It is particularly important to cover ones’ mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing; wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. Hand sanitizers are also helpful. It is also recommended that patients stay at home for a minimum of 24 hours after their fever starts to go down to avoid contaminating others, unless a doctor’s-visit is advised.
Health experts advise people to take careful precautions to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus. It is particularly important to cover ones’ mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing; wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. Hand sanitizers are also helpful. It is also recommended that patients stay at home for a minimum of 24 hours after their fever starts to go down to avoid contaminating others, unless a doctor’s-visit is advised.
In its mildest form, the HlNl swine flu virus amounts to little more than a cough, mild temperature and the general malaise that accompanies a stuffy head cold. In its more virulent form, the illness can lead to pneumonia or other respiratory conditions that can sometimes be fatal.
Now, researchers are beginning to suspect that Blacks and Latinos face far greater risks of contracting the H1N1 swine flu virus. The reason for the difference in severity has been linked to Blacks / Latinos’ high incidents of asthma and complications stemming from that condition. Consequently, both ethnic groups are often harder hit by the virus and more likely to wind up in the hospital than other ethnic communities.
That unsettling realization emerged from information gathered by Boston, Mass. health officials. Currently, African Americans comprise 25 percent of that city’s overall population, but account for 37 percent of all its swine flu cases. Similarly, Latinos comprise 14 percent of the city’s population, but make up over 33 percent of newly-confirmed H1N1 cases.
H1N1 hitting Black/Latino children harder
Authorities attributed the rise in numbers among minorities primarily to the city’s overcrowded and predominantly Black public school system, along with the fact that many parents, facing hard economic times and an uncertain employment market, are often reluctant to stay home from work when their children become ill.
“For some parents in lowerwage jobs, if they don’t show up at work, they don’t get paid and people may already be on the economic margins,” stated Dr. Anita Barry with the Boston Public Health Commission. “So parents were desperate to get some of these children back in school.”
Could this be a scenario that will be played out in South Florida in the coming months, some in the medical field wonder, given the high concentrations of minority students attending some PBC schools that are located in relatively poor areas of the county?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A-influenza virus. Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change [or mutate] constantly. It is possible for pigs to become infected by avian [bird] influenza, and human viruses, as well as other swine flu viruses. When all of these viruses mix in the host pig, a whole new. set of viruses can form. The problem comes in because most people have no immunity to these new influenza viruses. As of mid July, 2009 a total of 33,902 laboratory-confirmed cases were documented in the U.S. although it is widely accepted that the true number of persons infected with H1N1 is well over a million and rising. Florida currently ranks among the top six states in the nation hardest hit by the swine flu virus, which is 20 times more prevalent among five-24-year-olds than people over 65, although, so far, it is spreading in a mild form.
Swine flu prevention
Nate Harrington, spokesperson for the Palm Beach County School District, recently spoke at some length about the H1N1 virus and how the District is dealing with it. Stating that there hasn’t been an outbreak of swine flu in the PBC School District to date, Harrington attributed their success to strict vigilance on the part of school staff.
“If students come to school, they’re immediately sent home. As soon as they’re identified coming off the bus, by staff trained to identify symptoms, they are isolated in a safe room, while staff telephone their parents to pick them up.” At no time are they “allowed to join the general population. Same policy holds with employees,” he said adding. “If you’re sick, stay home and call your doctor.”
Harrington also noted that the District basically gets its information and cue from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), via the Palm Beach County Health Dept; He made it clear, however, that the District is not into diagnosing or confirming any swine flu cases; their objective was merely to protect children under their charge.
Health experts advise people to take careful precautions to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus. It is particularly important to cover ones’ mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing; wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. Hand sanitizers are also helpful. It is also recommended that patients stay at home for a minimum of 24 hours after their fever starts to go down to avoid contaminating others, unless a doctor’s-visit is advised.
