l e t t e r s t o t h e e d i t o r
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily the opinions of the National Medical Association.
Disparity is Defined as “an ment in obesity rates (they are than 70 million adults over age 65
Inequality or Difference” increasing among all racial groups) by 2030.1 Therefore, geriatric train-
and other addictions until patients ing is slowly getting integrated into
To the Editor: I and other practic- themselves address their problem(s) educational curriculums of medical
ing physicians have addressed in concert with their physician and school and residency programs. Fel-
health care disparities among health care providers. Personal lowship programs are growing and
minority patients—and specifically responsibility is not a political man- are beginning to fill the huge need
African American patients—for tra, but the key to healthier life- for geriatricians globally. Similarly,
many decades. Although numerous styles and healthier patients. This India is realizing its geriatric popu-
causes and remedies for the multi- concept is key to educating and lation surge and is preparing for
tude of disparity issues that affect treating our patients. 32% of its population to be over 65
our patients have been proposed, by 2050.2
published, and discussed, it is my Barry E. Breaux, MD The Geriatrics Society of India
observation that one significant bbx889@yahoo.com began in the early 1980s and has
solution is seldom mentioned or East Bay Eye Center since garnered the attention of phy-
stressed. That is the concept of per- Pinole, Calif. sicians, nurses, politicians, and non-
sonal responsibility and personal profit organizations. The value of a
awareness of one’s health problems geriatric-oriented training program
and solutions. Teaching Geriatrics in is being appreciated by patients,
Type 2 diabetes is associated India…Reflections on the families and health care providers
with obesity, lack of exercise, and US Health Care System alike. In a country where financial,
poor dietary choices. After 27 years class, and, ultimately, health care
of practice, I know it is a rare patient To the Editor: I was recently access disparities are broad, geriat-
that is not aware of these issues, yet invited to be a guest lecturer for 2 ric training has been a uniting thread
I continually read that somehow this weeks to teach geriatrics in India. that has tried to keep medical care
is primarily an “institutional rac- Being the director of geriatric edu- on equal grounds.
ism” or systemic problem, lack of cation at the University of Kansas On first foot in India, I realized
education, and lack of understand- Medical Center, I could not refuse its initial daunting challenge: its
ing by patients. I and many physi- the offer. I had the opportunity to population. With a population of
cians believe that the main problem teach at 2 medical schools: Kolkata more than 1.1 billion,3 more than 3
is lack of personal responsibility, Medical College in Kolkata, West times the US population, it is truly
the refusal of the patient to take Bengal, and at the Jawaharlal Nehru incredible to think of how a country
responsibility for his or her dietary Memorial Medical College in Rai- of this size coordinates their infra-
choices, exercise requirements, and pur, Chhattisgarh. I also had the structure for day-to-day living, let
lack of parental guidance for their privilege to speak at the Indian alone provides access to