4 research outputs found
Teaching the Teachers: Development and Evaluation of a Racial Health Equity Curriculum for Faculty.
INTRODUCTION: Faculty are increasingly expected to teach about the impact of racism on health and to model the principles of health equity. However, they often feel ill-equipped to do so, and there is limited literature on faculty development on these topics. We developed a curriculum for faculty education on racism and actions to advance racial health equity.
METHODS: The curriculum design was based on a literature review and needs assessments. Implementation consisted of four live virtual 1-hour sessions incorporating interactive didactics, cases, reflection, goal setting, and discussion offered to a multidisciplinary group of pediatric faculty at a children\u27s hospital. Topics included the history of racism, racism in health care, interacting with trainees and colleagues, and racial equity in policy. Evaluation consisted of pre- and postsurveys at the beginning and end of the curriculum and a survey after each session.
RESULTS: A mean of 78 faculty members attended each session (range: 66-94). Participants reported high satisfaction and increased knowledge at the end of each session. Qualitative themes included self-reflection on personal biases, application of health equity frameworks and tools, becoming disruptors of racism, and the importance of systemic change and policy.
DISCUSSION: This curriculum is an effective method for increasing faculty knowledge and comfort. The materials can be adapted for various audiences
Incorporating Community Member Perspectives to Inform a Resident Health Equity Curriculum.
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Extended genome‐wide association study employing the African Genome Resources Panel identifies novel susceptibility loci for Alzheimer’s Disease in individuals of African ancestry
Abstract Background Although African Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), individuals with African ancestry are under‐represented in genetic research of the disease. In the largest AD genome‐wide association studies to date for African‐Americans (Reitz et al. JAMA 2013; Kunkle at al. JAMA Neurol 2021) we previously identified several novel susceptibility loci in addition to APOE , including ABCA7, API5, RBFOX1 , and IGF1R . Method We performed a genome‐wide association meta‐analysis of 2,844 AD cases and 6,251 cognitively healthy controls of African ancestry (AA) assembled across 17 different cohorts. Single‐variant association analysis was conducted adjusting for age, sex, principal components, and subsequently APOE , applying logistic regression for case‐control and general estimating equations for family‐based datasets. Within‐study results were meta‐analyzed using METAL, and followed by gene‐based, pathway, scRNA‐seq, and colocalization analyses. Result Single variant meta‐analysis identified a novel genome‐wide significant AD risk locus in the MPDZ gene on chromosome 9p23 (rs141610415, MAF = .002, P = 3.68×10 −9 ). MPDZ (MUPP1) is a vital component of the NMDAR signaling complex in excitatory synapses of hippocampal neurons critical for learning and memory. Two additional novel common loci and 9 novel rare loci approached genome‐wide significance at P <9×10 −7 . Genes at these loci are acting in biologically plausible pathways: signal transduction ( PLEKHG1 ), synaptic transmission ( CNTNAP4) , synaptic connectivity ( SDK1 ), neural development/function ( SRGAP3, KIDINS220, UNC5C, TSSC1, TANC2 ), and neuronal differentiation ( ASCL1 ). Single‐cell RNA‐sequence analysis shows that all genes are expressed in the brain, and that expression of the orthologs of SRGAP3 , TANC2 , and MMP16 is upregulated with amyloid toxicity in zebrafish. Pathway analyses support the notion that immune response, transcription/DNA repair, lipid processing, and intracellular trafficking are major AD‐associated pathways in African Americans. Except for SIPA1L2 and ACER3 , all previously reported loci, including ABCA7 , API5 , RBFOX1 and IGF1R , remain genome‐wide or close to genome‐wide significant. Conclusion We identified several novel loci for AD in individuals with African ancestry with the strongest association observed for MPDZ involved in hippocampal synaptic signaling. Identification of a significant number of loci at suggestive significance indicates that future studies with further increased sample size will be critical to identify additional disease‐associated loci in individuals of African ancestry
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Extended genome-wide association study employing the African Genome Resources Panel identifies novel susceptibility loci for Alzheimer's Disease in individuals of African ancestry
INTRODUCTIONDespite a two-fold increased risk, individuals of African ancestry have been significantly underrepresented in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) genomics efforts. METHODSGWAS of 2,903 AD cases and 6,265 cognitive controls of African ancestry. Within-dataset results were meta-analyzed, followed by gene-based and pathway analyses, and analysis of RNAseq and whole-genome sequencing data. RESULTSA novel AD risk locus was identified in MPDZ on chromosome 9p23 (rs141610415, MAF=.002, P =3.68×10 -9 ). Two additional novel common and nine novel rare loci approached genome-wide significance at P <9×10 -7 . Comparison of association and LD patterns between datasets with higher and lower degrees of African ancestry showed differential association patterns at chr12q23.2 ( ASCL1 ), suggesting that the association is modulated by regional origin of local African ancestry. DISCUSSIONIncreased sample sizes and sample sets from Africa covering as much African genetic diversity as possible will be critical to identify additional disease-associated loci and improve deconvolution of local genetic ancestry effects