African-American adults between the ages of 18-50 have been found much less likely to become severely confused (experience Delirium) during ICU stays according to a recent study.

This is compared to whites of the same age according to Researchers at the Regenstrief Institute in Indiana.

Blacks and whites have similar dementia diagnoses, severity of illness and deaths as well a mechanical ventilator usage but whites experience more delirium. Blacks are more likely to be depressed or smoke according to an article on Atlanta Black Star.

They reported:

“Since African-Americans tend to have higher disease severity in the ICU, we were surprised to find that race could be a protective factor for younger African-American adults,” Babar A. Khan, research scientist at the Indiana University Center for Aging and lead author of the study said in the Institute’s press release.

“We now know that race should be considered among the risk factors for developing delirium for Caucasians of all ages but only for African-Americans if they are 50 or older. Clearly, different groups have different risk profiles for delirium.”
Khan said that while the National Institute on Aging-funded study could not explain the lower rates of delirium in younger African-American adults, the findings could inform doctors’ treatment practices for different ethnic groups.

The study “Relationship between African-American Race and Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit” was published in the Critical Care Medicine journal.

Of course it’s good news to get some positive health news once in a while but the wider issue here is that race SHOULD be considered during healthcare, currently it’s not really a consideration in most cases.

Our heritage does affect our tendencies and our strengths and weaknesses.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1UcZS9U