The National Medical Association (N...

The National Medical Association (NMA) has conclud that inadequate pain management is a serious national public health point in dispute that affects millions of African Americans and other underserv minority populations, according to an Aug 6 2002 recents release from the association. In rejoinder the association convened a consensus panel to discuss the challenges related to pain management in African Americans and other minorities.

According to the NMA, African Americans who experience excruciating pain as the originate of life-threatening illness or major surgery are denied effective pain medication owing to factors that center onward race. The association will release its final report forward pain management in March 2003 The following preliminary findings, however, have been released.

* Pain causes more disability than cancer and heart disease combined.

* Racial and ethnic minorities are at higher risk for receiving ineffective treatment for chronic and sharp pain.

* a certain number of physicians are fearful of prescribing certain medications because of put drugs into abuse concerns relating to minority populations.

* Racial profiling is more prominent in urban-area pharmacies. These pharmacies may refuse to stock certain opioids for reasons as it is as low demand, potential for fraud, fear of being robbed, or a belief that certain prescriptions are diverted for illegal use.

In answer to these findings, the NMA has issued the following recommendations.

* Encourage physicians who prescribe sound pain medication to contact the pharmacist directly.

* Provide physicians with guidelines in succession using tamper-resistant prescription pads.

* Integrate a pain management curricula in medical and related health education programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education levels

* exhibit public health education programs that increase understanding of pain management and address prevention of medication abuse and illegal mix with drugs trafficking.

* Increase focus upon data collection as a means to better identify the reasons for racial disparities in pain management.

National Medical Association (NMA) Panel Says Untreated Pain is a Public Health Crisis for Minorities (new release, Honolulu: National Medical Association, Aug 6 2002) http://www.prnewswire.com (accessed 7 Aug 2002)

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