RESUMEN
Behavioral interventions utilizing community health workers (CHWs) have demonstrated effectiveness in improving hypertension disparities in ethnic minority populations in the United States, but few have focused on Asian Americans. We assessed the efficacy of a CHW intervention to improve hypertension management among Filipino Americans with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) in New York City (NYC) from 2011 to 2013. A total of 240 Filipino American individuals (112 in the treatment group and 128 in the control group) with uncontrolled hypertension (SBPâ¯≥â¯140â¯mmHg and/or DBPâ¯≥â¯90â¯mmHg) were recruited from community-based settings in NYC. Using a community-based participatory research approach, treatment participants received 4 educational workshops and 4 one-on-one visits with CHWs over a 4-month period, while control group participants received 1 educational workshop. Main outcome measures included BP control, changes in SBP and DBP, and changes in appointment keeping at 8-months. At 8-months, BP was controlled among a significantly greater percentage of treatment group participants (83.3%) compared to the control group (42.7%). The adjusted odds of controlled BP for the treatment group was 3.2 times the odds of the control group (Pâ¯<â¯0.001). Both groups showed decreases in SBP and DBP, with greater decreases among treatment participants. Significant between-group differences were also demonstrated in adjusted analyses (Pâ¯<â¯0.001). Individuals in the treatment group showed significant changes in appointment keeping. In conclusion, a community-based intervention delivered by CHWs can help improve BP and related factors among Filipino Americans with hypertension in NYC.
RESUMEN
High levels of scatter radiation in catheterization laboratories may lead to posterior subcapsular opacities in the lens of the staff. The international Retrospective Evaluation of Lens Injuries and Dose (RELID) was performed in Argentina for the first time in 2010 in the context of the congress of the Latin American Society of Interventional Cardiology (SOLACI) and recently, in 2014, was carried out for the second time (SOLACI-CACI 2014). The 2014 study included 115 participants: interventional cardiologists, technicians and nurses. Posterior subcapsular lens changes typical of ionizing radiation exposure were found in 91.5% of interventional cardiologists, in 77% of technicians and in 100% of nurses, according to the Merriam-Focht scale. This RELID study (Argentina 2014) has particular importance since it allowed the follow-up of 10 professionals evaluated in 2010. The results obtained in the study population highlight the importance of the availability and proper use of the elements of radiation protection, as well as staff training.