229435 Racial Disparities in Orthostatic Intolerance

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Indu Taneja, MD, PhD , School of Health Sciences and Practice, Department of Health Policy Management, Pediatrics, Medicine and Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Hawthorne, NY
Deborah Viola, PhD , School of Health Sciences & Practice, Department of Health Policy & Management, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Leonard Jason, PhD , Professor Clinical Psychology, Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Julian Stewart, MD, PhD , Department of Pediatrics, Medicine and Physiology, New York Medical College, Hawthorne, NY
Howard Sasser, PhD , Director, MPH in Epidemiology Studies, School of Health Sciences and Practice, Valhalla, NY
Peter S. Arno, PhD , School of Health Sciences & Practice, Department of Health Policy & Management, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Objectives. Existing literature suggests that higher number of Whites report with symptoms of Orthostatic Intolerance (OI). We aim to analyze racial and ethnic disparities in reporting of OI symptoms and suggest likely policy measures to reduce these disparities. Methods. Adult patients (N= 28673) surveyed for the presence of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms through random mass telephonic interviews were retrospectively assessed for the presence of OI symptoms. OI was defined as the presence of symptoms such as dizziness, unsteadiness, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath, tiredness, weakness, loss of energy, loss of strength, loss of memory and or concentration, temporary periods of blindness, eye insensitivity to lights, and tingling in hands and feet. Racial/ethnic differences in the presence of OI symptoms and associations with history of active drug, onset of disease and socioeconomic status are assessed. Results. Whites are more likely to report to clinics to manage OI symptoms compared to African-Americans (AA). However AA have a higher incidence of symptoms of OI such as dizziness, weakness and less energy. Conclusions. Racial/ethnic disparities in reporting of OI are evident between AAs and Whites due to variety of factors such as lower socioeconomic status, decreased medical access, provider communication issues, cultural and social beliefs. Health disparities can be reduced by implementing language friendly and culturally sensitive community outreach health-education programs.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Clinical medicine applied in public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Compare racial disparities in reporting of symptoms of othostatic intolerance (OI) and suggest likely policy measures to remove these disparities.

Keywords: African American, Chronic Illness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: This is original work of my DrPH dissertation. I have proposed this study, received IRB approval for conducting this study and analyzed the data, reported results and proposed policies for the conclusion of this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.