INCREASING IMMUNIZATION RATES AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADULTS
ISSUE
Immunizations have been primarily viewed as a preventive health measure for children, however, there has been no concentrated effort to promote immunizations as a preventive health measure to effectively decrease this national health disparity among African American adults.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the problem of consistently low levels of immunization rates among African Americans compared to those of Whites and other minorities while taking into account, higher rates of certain medical conditions such as cardiovascular and sickle cell disease. These immunization issues were examined to effectively recommend policy, address barriers, best practices, and intervention strategies for the National Medical Association, its physician members and their communities.
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CONSENSUS PROCESS
A literature review was conducted with assistance from the Wyeth Ayerst medical library and the National Medical Association’s Immunization © 2002. Originally published in “Adult Immunizations: Increasing Immunization Rates Among African-American Adults” as part of the National Medical Association’s National Colloquium on African American Health. Request for reprints should be addressed to the National Medical Association, 1012 Tenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.
Clearinghouse examining over 110 pieces of immunization literature from 1980 to 1999, which addressed immunization issues from an African American and/or minority perspective. A draft of the immunization paper was submitted to panel participants to review before the panel was convened, June 24-26, 1999.
The Consensus Panel was also asked to include additional immunization material, which was not included in the first draft, relevant to the immunization issues that were selected for inclusion in the immunization paper. cheap antibiotics without prescription
The panel then devised a short list of the most relevant issues affecting African Americans and recommendations were developed to address key areas, which included:
♦ Immunization disparity rates;
♦ Current literature on risk factors for under immunization;
♦ Barriers to immunization;
♦ Missed opportunities; and
♦ Intervention strategies, including the establishment of institutional and physician best practices.
SUMMARY
Racial and ethnic disparities in adult immunization may reflect a differential effect on African Americans when coupled with underlying socioeconomic or cultural differences that can create barriers to health care access and discourage immunizations as a preventive health measure. Scientifically based, culturally appropriate intervention strategies need to be implemented by physicians and institutions/organizations to increase immunization rates among African American adults. silagra
