Contributions
ADHD Underdiagnosis, Misdiagnosis, and Implicit Bias
In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Johnny Williamson, we discuss ADHD underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, and implicit bias. We also discuss how psychiatrists can reach out to the Black community to rectify ADHD disparities. MD Newsline: Is ADHD commonly underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed? What is it mistaken for? Dr. Johnny Williamson: “ADHD...
Dr. Johnny Williamson: Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and ADHD
In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Johnny Williamson, we discuss ADHD as it relates to race/ethnicity and gender. MD Newsline: Why do Black children suffer more from ADHD than children of other racial/ethnic backgrounds? Dr. Johnny Williamson “One, I think that’s a great question. I think that the diagnosis...
How Socioeconomic Status Affects Wet AMD
The incidence of wet age-related macular generation (AMD) is rising rapidly amidst an aging population. However, despite its name, age is not the only risk factor associated with wet AMD. Environmental factors such as smoking have been known to increase the risk of wet AMD. Given the correlation between smoking and low socioeconomic status, this...
Cost-Effectiveness of Ranibizumab vs. Bevacizumab for AMD
Ranibizumab and bevacizumab are two of the most popular treatments for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). Both treatments are efficacious, but ranibizumab is much more expensive than bevacizumab. Comparing Medicare reimbursements for the two drugs, ranibizumab is reimbursed at $2,023 per dose, while bevacizumab is reimbursed at $55 per dose. This cost can quickly...
Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Have Worse Surgery Outcomes
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hemoglobinopathy in the United States. It is associated with increased rates of postoperative complications, which are associated with higher costs and readmissions. This retrospective cohort study examines how SCD influences postoperative complications and readmissions after appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and hysterectomy. The researchers used data from 2007-2014 from California,...
Medicaid Expansion and Sickle Cell Disease Care
Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) utilize acute healthcare services at higher rates than the general population. Following the expansion of the Medicaid program in California, researchers sought to determine whether or not Medicaid enrollment and hydroxyurea prescriptions increased and if there was a decrease in the use of acute healthcare services by individuals with...
Perceptions of Sickle Cell Disease Care
Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) frequently deal with health disparities, including inequities in funding, stigma, and worse health outcomes. This study was done to assess the quality of outpatient and emergency medical care available to adults and adolescents with SCD. The research was performed as part of the Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium. The...
Substance Abuse and Sickle Cell Disease
Researchers have observed that individuals dealing with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience psychological comorbidities and chronic pain. These conditions frequently correlate with substance abuse, but there has not been any substantive research into substance abuse rates among individuals dealing with SCD. This study, published in Substance Use & Misuse, explores the relationship and risk factors between...
Screening for Social Determinants of Sickle Cell Disease
Social determinants of health are socioeconomic factors that can influence health outcomes. Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are disproportionately affected by negative social determinants. This study, published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer, focuses on the impact of a screening and referral program in addressing social determinants of health in children with SCD. The screening protocol...