Study: Many say racial disparities genetic

[The Straight Story]

Study: Many say racial disparities genetic

HOUSTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A U.S. study
reveals greater public support for reducing healthcare disparities among socio-economic groups -- income or education.

In the study, scheduled to be published in the Social Science Quarterly, people voiced strong concern about economic-based disparities and suggested government intervention would help to alleviate the imbalance.

However, more than 60 percent say they believed the racially-based disparities -- primarily between African-Americans and Caucasians -- were a result of genetic differences that may cause chronic conditions or recurring diseases.

This perception led respondents to view racially-based disparities as less problematic and more resistant to government-based solutions, and to be less supportive of proposals aimed at eliminating health disparities, the researchers say.

Head researcher Elizabeth Rigby of the University of Houston, Joe Soss of the University of Minnesota, and Bridget C. Booske, Angela M. K. Rohan and Stephanie A. Robert, all of the University of Wisconsin-Madison say, on the whole, American health statistics point to stark differences in the well being and health among different social groups.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/10/20/Study-Many-say-racial-disparities-genetic/UPI-80281256018232/

[pnwmom]

1. But there is truth to that. Some racial groups are genetically more susceptible

to certain diseases, and others to others. It isn't all a matter of poverty or environment.

For example, Jewish people have more Tay-Sachs disease. African Americans can have sickle-cell anemia. Irish and Northern Europeans have more Celiac disease. And different racial groups also respond differently to various medications.

[aquart]

2. And redheads bleed.

[pnwmom]

3. Redheads react differently to surgical anesthesia, a fact which is important

for doctors to know. And they're more susceptible to melanoma. I'm sure there are other differences, too.

[angstlessk]

4. and women are more prone to that pregnancy disease....what's it called...oh yeah!

having a baby.