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Efforts Call For Reducing Suicide Among Alaska Native, American Indian Youth; Provide Health Information For Asian, Pacific Islander Communities
The following highlights efforts that seek to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.

Report Finds Racial Disparities In Prescription Drug Access, Use, Regimen Adherence
"Origins and Strategies for Addressing Ethnic and Racial Disparities in Pharmaceutical Therapy: The Health-Care System, the Provider, and the Patient," National Minority Quality Forum: The report -- by Richard Levy, a health care consultant and former vice president of the National Pharmaceutical Council; Robert Like, professor and director of the Center for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity of the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; and Harry Shabsin, a private-practice psychologist -- looks at how appropriate medications for a variety of diseases often are under-prescribed, over-prescribed, or mis-prescribed among minorities. The report looks at disparities in treatment of minority patients with cardiovascular disease, asthma, psychiatric illness, pain and other conditions and finds disparities in access to medications through insurance programs, in the prescribing of medications and in adherence to medication regimens. The report offers ways to improve prescribing and use of medications among diverse communities (National Minority Quality Forum release, 5/12).
News of the day
Increased 'Dialogue' Needed In Black Community About HIV/AIDS, Opinion Piece Says
"HIV/AIDS has literally become a state of emergency in the [b]lack community and our leaders, organizations and institutions can no longer afford to remain silent," Lisa Fager Bediako, project coordinator for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation"s ACT! Against AIDS Leadership Initiative, writes in the Florida Courier. She continues, "Over the past three years that I have been involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and advocacy, one thing has become apparent: the crucial need for expanded dialogue about HIV/AIDS within the [b]lack community." Bediako writes, "In order to reach a larger audience, we need to have hard conversations, creative outreach and committed support from leadership organizations and media outlets," concluding, "We cannot afford to ebb and flow our conversations of HIV/AIDS while this preventable disease continues to devastate our community" (Bediako, 7/10).
Mental Health

Three To Six Months To Lose Weight Gained In Pregnancy Is Normal

Women are under too much pressure to lose weight quickly after giving birth, according to German Institute Once the baby arrives, many new mothers want to return to their former weight quickly - just like film stars who appear in the media in bikinis just weeks after giving birth. But according to the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), women should not put themselves under too much pressure straight away. In information published today on Informed Health Online, the Institute also warns that overdoing early weight loss attempts could have a negative impact on breastfeeding. Kilos often melt away by themselves - but there is no guarantee Gaining weight in pregnancy is not only normal, it is necessary. The mother"s body has to nourish the growing baby. Her body needs to take on more fluid to support the extra circulation the placenta and baby need. Some of this added weight will usually be lost as soon as the baby is born. "Often, the extra effort women have to make to look after a new baby and breastfeed after giving birth means the kilos just melt away without effort," according to the Institute"s Director, Professor Peter Sawicki. "But for about half of all women, the weight will not go away as quickly." "Eating for two" in pregnancy can cause problems if you are overweight The Institute analysed recent evidence and new US national guidelines on weight gain in pregnancy, and the message is clear: women who have become overweight or more overweight during pregnancy have a higher chance of ongoing weight problems if they are not back to a normal weight within six months or a year after having a baby. "Avoiding weight problems after birth means already being careful about balanced and healthy eating during pregnancy," says Professor Sawicki. "It is not a good idea to "eat for two" in pregnancy and forget about your weight until after the baby is born if you are at all overweight - or prone to overweight - already. Women need to eat well enough for themselves and their baby, but pregnancy is not a time to overeat." A lot of exercise in the weeks after birth will not necessarily help Even though many magazines have "get your bikini body back quickly" diets on their covers, promising women they can achieve their ideal weight in time for summer, it is not getting quick results that counts the most. This is particularly true after pregnancy. It is normal for it to take three to six months for women to lose the weight they gained in pregnancy. Exercise is important when people are overweight, but after pregnancy, a lot of exercise does not necessarily help a great deal. The Institute summarised the research evidence about the best ways to lose weight after childbirth. The evidence shows that a balanced diet helps - with or without extra exercise. Very strenuous exercise programmes soon after childbirth did not lead to extra weight loss. This means that women do not need to have a bad conscience if they take it easy in the busy weeks after giving birth. However, Professor Sawicki stresses that even though the birth of a baby can throw life completely out of kilter, it is important for women not to leave it too long before they start looking after themselves again. Today the Institute published information based on the latest evidence and guidelines about healthy weight gain during pregnancy. The Institute"s website, http://www.informedhealthonline.org, provides the public with easy-to-understand information about current medical developments and research on important health issues. Informed Health Online


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