HEALTH DISPARITIES BLOG http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/ Information and Research on the topic of Health Disparities. en-us Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:07:43 EST Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:07:43 EST david.porter@case.edu david.porter@case.edu http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Movable Type v3.121 HealthDisparitiesBloghttp://feedburner.google.com links for 2009-11-20 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/20/links_for_20091120 Discrimination and Diabetes :: Diabetes Self-Management The prevalence of diabetes is at least twice as high in some ethnic groups as it is in whites[,] even among people with... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/20/links_for_20091120 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:07:43 EST
  • Discrimination and Diabetes :: Diabetes Self-Management
    The prevalence of diabetes is at least twice as high in some ethnic groups as it is in whites[,] even among people with similar body mass index (BMI) numbers, a large new study finds[: "Differences between] ethnic groups persisted in normal-weight and underweight participants". [T]here’s a lot more to Type 2 diabetes than weight. [Of] 187,000 people in Hawaii and California...11.6% reported having diabetes. However, age-adjusted...prevalence was 16.1% in Native Hawaiians, 15.8% in Latinos, 15% in African-Americans, 10.2% in Japanese-Hawaiians, and 6.3% in whites....The reason ethnic minorities, low-income people, and unemployed people have so much diabetes is NOT mainly due to health behaviors. [A[ll behaviors combined explain less than 40% of the difference between the healthiest and the least healthy groups. The rest of it is due to the higher stress levels of, say, being an immigrant, being isolated, having economic difficulties, or being discriminated against.'
  • Students With A Lower Socioeconomic Background Benefit From Daily School Physical Activity
    (tags: obesity, BMI, exercise, children)
  • For Clinics, the Mammogram Is Slipping in Popularity - NYTimes.com
    Many women and doctors have said they might not follow the new recommendations. But even under the former guidelines, many women have apparently not had the screening, often because they lack insurance.
    (tags: breast cancer screening, health insurance)
  • Vital Signs - U.S. Draws a D From the March of Dimes in Its Report on Premature Births - NYTimes.com
    More than half a million babies — one out of eight — are born prematurely each year in the United States, prompting the March of Dimes to give the nation a D on its premature births report card.
    (tags: premature birth)
  • Study predicts more than half of Ohio's adults will be obese by 2018 | Health and Fitness - cleveland.com - - cleveland.com
    Ohio's rate of obesity is expected to be one of the highest in the nation, with only a handful of states at over 50 percent. The national average for obese adults is expected to be 43 percent in 2018, according to research by Kenneth Thorpe of Emory University, who projected the future costs of treating chronic disease attributable to obesity.
    (tags: obesity, Ohio)
    • ]]>         New Health Disparities Lectures Online http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/20/new_health_disparities_lectures_online More of the lectures for the health disparities course that is taught at Case Western Reserve University have been uploaded to the Center's website at www.ReduceDisparity.org. They are located under... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/20/new_health_disparities_lectures_online Case Disparities Education Genetics Health Health Disparities Course LGBT Ohio Reserve University Western competency cultural evaluation insurance law oral special case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:58:04 EST More of the lectures for the health disparities course that is taught at Case Western Reserve University have been uploaded to the Center's website at www.ReduceDisparity.org. They are located under the EDUCATION tab. These are the included lectures:

    - "Evaluation of Health Programs"
    - "Introduction to Health Disparities"
    - "Genetics and Health Disparities"
    - "Measurement of Race, Ethnicity, and Health Status"
    - "Insurance First: Why Simplify the Disparities Agenda"
    - "The MetroHealth Cancer Center B.R.E.A.S.T. Program"
    - "Health Disparities in Asthma"
    - "Ethical Aspects of Health Disparities"
    - "International Health Disparities: Focus on Uganda"
    - "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health Disparities"
    - "Legal Interventions"
    - "Cultural Competency In Research"
    - "Epidemiology of Oral Health Disparities"

    There are 2 more still to come, "Health Disparities in ICU Care" and"Cultural Competency in Health Care". Both should be up on the website before Thanksgiving.

    ]]>         links for 2009-11-14 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/14/links_for_20091114 Awareness Of Racism Affects How Children Do Socially And Academically Most children actively notice and think about race. A new study has found that children develop an awareness about... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/14/links_for_20091114 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:04:20 EST
  • Awareness Of Racism Affects How Children Do Socially And Academically
    Most children actively notice and think about race. A new study has found that children develop an awareness about racial stereotypes early, and that those biases can be damaging.
  • African-Americans With Colorectal Cancer Have Poorer Outcomes, Lower Survival Rates
    New research published in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that African-American patients with colorectal cancer are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease and are less likely to undergo surgical procedures compared with Caucasians, suggesting that improvements in screening and rates of operation may reduce differences in colorectal cancer outcomes for African-Americans.
    • ]]>         links for 2009-11-12 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/12/links_for_20091112 WHO | Women and health: today's evidence tomorrow's agenda This report was released by the World Health Organization about both women’s health needs and their contribution to the health... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/12/links_for_20091112 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:04:24 EST
  • WHO | Women and health: today's evidence tomorrow's agenda
    This report was released by the World Health Organization about both women’s health needs and their contribution to the health of societies. Using current data, it takes stock of what is known about the health of women's lives and across the different regions of the world.
  • A Clear Conference Message: Everyone Can Make A Difference to Achieve Health Equity « Urban Health Watch
    "There is room for you to make a difference."

    That was the message last month at the New England Regional Minority Health Conference (NERMHC). Held from October 14 through 16 at the Westin Hotel in Providence and hosted by the RI Department of Health, the theme of NERMHC was “From Disparities to Equity: the Power to Make Change.”


    (tags: health disparities, NERMHC, New England Regional Minority Conference)

    • ]]>         Don't Forget About The Other Determinants of Health http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/12/dont_forget_about_the_other_determinants_of_health Gail Wilensky, Senior Fellow Project HOPE has written a column for Kaiser Health News concerning what is being missed in the health care reform debate. While recent discussion has become... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/12/dont_forget_about_the_other_determinants_of_health Disparities Education Health care determinants of reform social case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:55:09 EST Gail Wilensky, Senior Fellow Project HOPE has written a column for Kaiser Health News concerning what is being missed in the health care reform debate.

    While recent discussion has become heated about insurance coverage, the focus on the health needs and disparities that cause poor health have largely been ignored.

    Wilensky is former commissioner on the World Health Organization Commission on the Social Determinants of Health. Her work there was focused on relationships of poverty, education, early childhood education, the treatment of women and individual empowerment to health and life expectancy issues. She points out,

    "As we struggle through this first round of health care reform, it is important that we remember that the ultimate goal is to provide for a healthier America. Improving the conditions in which people are born and live, age and die may be at least as important as reforming health care in achieving this goal."

    To read more of her column, click here to get the Kaiser Health News link.

    ]]>         links for 2009-11-04 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/04/links_for_20091104 Special Issue of Medical Journal Explores Latino Health and Health Care The Network for Multicultural Research on Health and Healthcare, a consortium of researchers from major research institutions around... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/11/04/links_for_20091104 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:08:14 EST
  • Special Issue of Medical Journal Explores Latino Health and Health Care
    The Network for Multicultural Research on Health and Healthcare, a consortium of researchers from major research institutions around the country, examines health care disparities affecting minorities with chronic diseases and has produced a special supplement of the Journal of General Internal Medicine examining Latinos and health care, shedding light on important issues that have been left out of the health care reform debate.
    (tags: Latinos, health care, chronic disease)
  • Groups Launch Effort to Promote Smoking Cessation Among American Indians - News digest - Public Health newsroom - Public Health
    The University of Kansas Medical Center has helped develop a program aimed at reducing smoking rates among residents of Native American Indian reservations, Indian Country Today reports.
    (tags: Native Americans, smoking)
  • RWJF Awards Funding for Projects Designed to Reduce Care Disparities - News digest - Quality/Equality newsroom - Quality/Equality
    The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has awarded grants of up to $258,500 each to seven organizations to support the development and testing of interventions aimed at reducing racial and ethnic care disparities, AHA News Now reports.
    (tags: health disparities, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
    • ]]>         links for 2009-10-29 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/29/links_for_20091029 Guide To Help Scientists Understand Children's Exposure To Pollutants The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a user-friendly document to help risk assessors understand how children are exposed to... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/29/links_for_20091029 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:04:19 EST
  • Guide To Help Scientists Understand Children's Exposure To Pollutants
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a user-friendly document to help risk assessors understand how children are exposed to pollution.

    More information on the documents: http://www.epa.gov/childexpfactors/highlights




  • The Poor In Rural Oregon Face 'Double Binds' When Getting Food

    A new study by Oregon State University researchers shows that those in poverty in rural Oregon often know what kinds of foods they should be eating, but face tough choices between eating well and spending less money for meals.


    • ]]>         Health Disparities Lectures Posted on Website http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/28/health_disparities_lectures_posted_on_website During this fall semester at Case Western Reserve University, the Center for Reducing Health Disparities has been videotaping lecturers for the graduate health disparities course that is offered for nursing,... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/28/health_disparities_lectures_posted_on_website Breast Cancer Cultural competency Dental Care Disparities Genetics Global Health Care Justice Health Disparities Health Disparities Class Health Disparities Course Hispanic Health Ohio Pollution Public Health Racial Disparities Research air quality asthma case western health care access case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:40:39 EST During this fall semester at Case Western Reserve University, the Center for Reducing Health Disparities has been videotaping lecturers for the graduate health disparities course that is offered for nursing, medicine, public health, social work, epidemiology and biostatistics students. We are pleased to announce that we are posting those lectures to our website at www.ReduceDisparity.org. Please visit the education tab to see the variety of lectures offered including:
    - Introduction to Health Disparities
    - Evaluation of Health Programs
    - Health Disparities in Asthma
    - Model Community-Health Programs (breast cancer, re-entry, dental programs)

    There are more lectures to come as well. Please visit our website for more information.

    ]]>         links for 2009-10-28 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/28/links_for_20091028 For African Americans, Women And Latinos, Higher Risk Of Gastrointestinal Diseases May Mean More Vigilance, Earlier Screenings Three studies presented this week at the American College of Gastroenterology's 74th... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/28/links_for_20091028 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:06:25 EST
  • For African Americans, Women And Latinos, Higher Risk Of Gastrointestinal Diseases May Mean More Vigilance, Earlier Screenings
    Three studies presented this week at the American College of Gastroenterology's 74th Annual Scientific meeting in San Diego underscore the growing disparities in gastrointestinal disease, particularly colon cancer and Barrett's Esophagus, among certain ethnic and gender populations, including African Americans, Latinos and women. These race- and gender-specific disparities underscore the need for education and vigilance among these populations and perhaps more aggressive screening tactics than the population in general.
  • Least Healthy Cereals Are The Ones Most Aggressively Marketed To Children, US Study
    The study, reported in The Cereal Food Advertising to Children and Teens Score (FACTS) Report, was part funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and was conducted by researchers from Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. It is being presented at Obesity 2009, the 27th annual scientific meeting of The Obesity Society, in Washington on 27 October. One of the findings from the researchers was that not one the cereals targeted to children in the US meets the nutrition standard required to advertise to children in the United Kingdom..
  • Heart attack rates up in women | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times
    The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, examined data from national surveys taken from 1988 to 1994 and a second time period, from 1999 to 2004. In both time periods, men had more heart attacks than women. But the rates in men improved from 2.5% in the first time frame to 2.2% in the second time frame while women’s rates increased from 0.7% to 1%.
    • ]]>         links for 2009-10-15 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/15/links_for_20091015 Black Cancer Patients Less Likely Than Whites To Receive The End-of-life Care They Prefer "End-of-life care discussions appeared to be more effective in ensuring that white patients' treatment preferences... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/15/links_for_20091015 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:05:13 EST
  • Black Cancer Patients Less Likely Than Whites To Receive The End-of-life Care They Prefer
    "End-of-life care discussions appeared to be more effective in ensuring that white patients' treatment preferences were honored," said Holly Prigerson, PhD, senior author of the report in The Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study is posted on the journal's web site and will be published in a future print edition.
    • ]]>         links for 2009-10-14 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/14/links_for_20091014 In Over 50 Percent Of Randomized Clinical Trials For Cardiovascular Disease The Race Of Each Participant Not Reported A new study recently published online by the American Heart Journal... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/14/links_for_20091014 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:06:27 EST
  • In Over 50 Percent Of Randomized Clinical Trials For Cardiovascular Disease The Race Of Each Participant Not Reported
    A new study recently published online by the American Heart Journal shows that more than half of all randomized clinical trials, or RCTs, for cardiovascular disease are not reporting vital information about the study populations race or ethnicity.
  • Minority kids less apt to take asthma meds | Health | Reuters
    The study published in the medical journal Chest, found that among 1,485 asthmatic children from four U.S. states, black children were twice as likely as white children to have gone to the emergency room for an asthma attack in the past year. Overall, 39 percent of black children had visited the ER, compared with 18 percent of white children.
  • Can your neighborhood make you sick? | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times
    A study being published today in the Archives of Internal Medicine calculates that people who live in neighborhoods that are conducive to physical activity and healthy eating have a 38% reduced risk of developing diabetes compared with people who don’t.
  • Health Reform Proposals Enhance Children’s Dental Care - Kaiser Health News
  • Study Shows a Little Money Buys a Lot of Calories at City Corner Stores - RWJF
    Children in Philadelphia who attended public schools and shopped at corner stores before or after school purchased almost 360 calories of foods and beverages per visit, according to new research published in Pediatrics.
    • ]]>         Children On Medicaid Still Face Difficulty Getting Dental Care http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/12/children_on_medicaid_still_face_difficulty_getting_dental_care The Associated Press is reporting on the continuing problem of getting children proper dental care. Medicaid does cover dental care, but finding dentists that accept Medicaid is a challenge. State... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/12/children_on_medicaid_still_face_difficulty_getting_dental_care case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST The Associated Press is reporting on the continuing problem of getting children proper dental care. Medicaid does cover dental care, but finding dentists that accept Medicaid is a challenge.


    State officials told the GAO that many children can't find dentists who accept Medicaid, and dental providers cite low reimbursement rates and patients skipping appointments as challenges to treating kids in the federal-state health insurance program for the poor.


    Part of the problem is that there is no way of knowing how many of the children on Medicaid actually see a dentist. The Government Accountability Office recommended that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services "develop a plan for sharing promising practices among states and reviewing dental services in states with low access rates."

    Click here to read the article.

    ]]>         links for 2009-10-10 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/10/links_for_20091010 Health Care Varies Significantly Among States, Study Finds Discussion of a new report by the Commonwealth Fund that shows the wide disparities in health care across the U.S. and... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/10/links_for_20091010 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:03:14 EST
  • Health Care Varies Significantly Among States, Study Finds
    Discussion of a new report by the Commonwealth Fund that shows the wide disparities in health care across the U.S. and how each state fares in comparison.
    • ]]>         links for 2009-10-06 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/06/links_for_20091006 Calorie Postings Don’t Change Habits, Study Finds - NYTimes.com Health care bills tackle gender gap in coverage - USATODAY.com "Women's health advocates say issues such as maternity coverage and... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/06/links_for_20091006 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:04:35 EST
  • Calorie Postings Don’t Change Habits, Study Finds - NYTimes.com
  • Health care bills tackle gender gap in coverage - USATODAY.com
    "Women's health advocates say issues such as maternity coverage and fair pricing affect far more women, who have received inadequate care and coverage for too long."
  • 1 in 10 Babies Is Born Early, March of Dimes Reports - NYTimes.com
    The rates are highest in Africa, but North America follows closely behind, concludes the first part of the report, a collaboration with the World Health Organization. The report, and its implications, are to be discussed this week at a child health meeting in India.
    • ]]>         Breast Reconstruction Varies By Race http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/06/breast_reconstruction_varies_by_race Researchers (Amy Alderman et al) at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have published a study on the October 5 online version of the Journal of Clinical Oncology where... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/06/breast_reconstruction_varies_by_race case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:34:24 EST Researchers (Amy Alderman et al) at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have published a study on the October 5 online version of the Journal of Clinical Oncology where they found that language barriers in non-English speaking Latinas were a factor in whether or not reconstructive breast surgery occurred.

    Receipt of breast reconstruction varied significantly by patient race/ethnicity (40.9% of whites, 33.5% of African Americans, 41.2% of highly acculturated Latinas, and only 13.5% of less acculturated Latinas; P < .0001). Nearly 14% of less acculturated Latinas said they did not know how to get breast reconstruction, compared with less than 2% for all other groups (P<.001).

    The lower rates in limited English speaking populations did not represent a lack of interest in reconstruction. The researchers suggest that there should be increased efforts to present breast reconstruction options to patients. Stronger efforts should be made particularly to those who speak limited English.

    For more information, you can read a description in Medical News Today or the article at the Journal of Oncology webpage.

    ]]>         links for 2009-10-02 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/02/links_for_20091002 Tracing Rural America&#039;s &#039;Mortality Penalty&#039; | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural &quot;Before 1990, the mortality rate for both rural and urban communities had been about the same —... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/02/links_for_20091002 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:05:34 EST
  • Tracing Rural America's 'Mortality Penalty' | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural
    "Before 1990, the mortality rate for both rural and urban communities had been about the same — and both were decreasing. Death rates in rural and urban America have continued to decrease since 1990, but the rate of decline has been much faster in urban areas" reports the Daily Yonder.
    • ]]>         links for 2009-10-01 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/01/links_for_20091001 Ohio Health Policy Review: HPIO brief examines gender disparities in Ohio This 8 page brief uses data from the 2008 Ohio Family Health Survey and identifies disparities in health... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/10/01/links_for_20091001 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:04:54 EST
  • Ohio Health Policy Review: HPIO brief examines gender disparities in Ohio
    This 8 page brief uses data from the 2008 Ohio Family Health Survey and identifies disparities in health behaviors, risk factors, family income and other issues.
  • US Breast Cancer Deaths Falling But Not For African Americans
    Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2009-2010 was released September 30, and it shows that breast cancer deaths have been falling in the US since the early 1990s, with the biggest drops in women under 50. However, as of 2006, breast cancer death rates were 38 per cent higher in African American women than white women. The report provides possible explanations for that disparity.
  • WIC program gets its first overhaul -- to include fresh produce | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times
    There is rejoicing today at agencies that work with recipients of food vouchers through the Women, Infants and Children program in California. Starting Thursday, WIC recipients -- more than 8 million of them -- will be able to use vouchers to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, under a program revision that has been years in the making.
    • ]]>         links for 2009-09-30 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/09/30/links_for_20090930 Fruits &amp; Veggies Matter: Health Professionals: State Indicator Report | CDC The State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009 released includes information, policy, and behavioral indicators of fruit... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/09/30/links_for_20090930 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:04:42 EST
  • Fruits & Veggies Matter: Health Professionals: State Indicator Report | CDC
    The State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009 released includes information, policy, and behavioral indicators of fruit and vegetable consumption.
    • ]]>         links for 2009-09-29 http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/09/29/links_for_20090929 Vital Signs - Study Ties Diabetes to Irregular Heartbeat in Women - NYTimes.com A new study finds that diabetes significantly increases a woman’s risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/09/29/links_for_20090929 Lunch Break Reading case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:06:21 EST
  • Vital Signs - Study Ties Diabetes to Irregular Heartbeat in Women - NYTimes.com
    A new study finds that diabetes significantly increases a woman’s risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a common and potentially dangerous irregular heart rhythm that doctors often miss.
  • Lack Of Social Support Tied To Parental Depression
  • Survival In Prostate Cancer Affected By Income, Swiss Study Finds
    Prostate cancer patients of low socioeconomic status are more likely to die than patients with higher incomes. That is the finding of a new study from Swiss researchers to be published in the December 1, 2009 issue of Cancer.
    • ]]>         Dialysis Patients Often Not Told About Transplant Options http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/09/28/dialysis_patients_often_not_told_about_transplant_options Are people told about the full range of options when they begin dialysis? Information detailed in the Sunday edition of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review suggests that they are not. Kidney... http://blog.case.edu/ccrhd/2009/09/28/dialysis_patients_often_not_told_about_transplant_options case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:39:52 EST Are people told about the full range of options when they begin dialysis? Information detailed in the Sunday edition of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review suggests that they are not. Kidney transplants can add years to a patient's life, and is overall, a much cheaper procedure than long-term dialysis care. Some key factors are fear, education of kidney disease and options, organ "availability" and the insurance associated with care.

    The Tribune conducted its own four month investigation and found:

    More than 32,000 of the 105,653 people who started treatment for kidney failure in 2006 were not informed about the option of kidney transplantation, according to the latest available information reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.


    The article also spoke with some dialysis providers who dispute the claim that they don't provide information on transplants to enough of their patients.


    Read the story on the Pittsburgh Tribune website.

    ]]>