CHEST 2011 Meeting Highlights

The US Census Bureau (2010) reports just over one-third of the US population as a minority, with a 29% overall increase of minorities in the US population over the past decade.

The American Lung Association report, State of Lung Disease in Diverse Communities: 2010 (www.lungusa.org/assets/documents/publications/lung-disease-data/solddc_2010.pdf), reveals improvements in lung diseases have not been equally distributed by income, race, ethnicity, education, and geography. Some minority groups may be at increased risk of lung disease because of genetic predisposition. The 2010 report finds that diverse communities experience a host of societal problems at a higher rate than Caucasians. Poverty contributes to substandard living conditions and exposures that increase risk of lung disease. Poor access to and utilization of health care not only stems from poverty but from poor provider-patient communication and health literacy.

These statistics confirm the relevance of cultural diversity education and the implementation of this knowledge alongside clinical practice. Understanding the values and traditions of individuals and the diversity that various cultures embrace and/or face is crucial for successful, holistic care of patients and family members and should be considered standard of care.

With this in mind, be sure to attend the following sessions at CHEST 2011, developed by the Cultural Diversity in Medicine NetWork:
•NetWork Feature Presentation and Open Meeting: “End of Life Discussions With Minority and Non-English-Speaking Populations,” presented by Dr. Shankar Sundaram, NetWork member.
•NetWork Luncheon: “Diversity and Inclusion: A Health-care Imperative,” presented by Dr. Anthony Carter, Vice President of Global Diversity & Inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer for Johnson & Johnson.<
•Economic Incentives to Reduce Health-care Disparities: Pro/Con Debate
•Census 2010: Lung Disease Management in a Changing Minority and Immigrant Population

Dr. Samir Fahmy, FCCP
Steering Committee Member