Use of health services by African-American children with asthma on Medicaid

Article Abstract:

African-American children appear to use emergency departments and inpatient services for asthma more often than white children, regardless of family income and type of medical insurance. Medicaid claims data from 1988 to 1992 for 576 African-American children and 1,369 white children, all enrolled in Aid to Families with Dependent Children, were analyzed. Total per capita charges paid for asthmatic African-American children were 24% higher than for white children. The higher cost was attributed to greater use of costly emergency departments and hospitalization. White children made office visits for asthma and tended to been seen by a private physician, while African-American children were likely to visit publicly funded clinics. African-American children were prescribed theophylline more often than were white children, although 1991 National Institutes of Health asthma guidelines recommend inhaled beta-agonists and anti-inflammatory medications. African-American children may be receiving substandard care for asthma.

Care and treatment, Evaluation, Medical care, Asthma, African American children

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The hidden and potent effects of television advertising

Article Abstract:

A study was conducted to test whether increased television viewing is associated with increased total energy intake and with increased consumption of foods advertised on television. It was found that increases in television viewing are associated with increased calorie intake among youth and this association is mediated by increasing consumption of calorie-rich low-nutrient foods commonly advertised on television.

United States, Radio, TV, publisher representatives, TV Advertising, Media Representatives, Advertising, FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS, Public affairs, Advertising Activity, Ethics, Food industry, Television advertising, Ethical aspects, Television viewers, Food and beverage production/distribution software

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Provision of pneumococcal prophylaxis for publicly insured children with sickle cell disease

Article Abstract:

Many young children with sickle cell anemia who are covered by Medicaid may not receive appropriate antibiotics to prevent infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae, according to a study of 261 children. Children with sickle cell anemia have between 20 and 100 times the risk of this infection than other children. For this reason, some doctors believe these children should take an antibiotic every day.

Prevention, Complications and side effects, Sickle cell anemia, Drug therapy, Pneumococcal infections

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