Afro Caribbean Research Articles

The Signifying Monkey : Interdisciplinary Ripple Effects and Six Degrees of Separation

I live in Miami, Florida, where one of my favorite restaurants is Haitian restaurant, Tap Tap, in South Beach. Tap Tap--named after an iconic form of Haitian shuttle bus, on the window of which one must tap request disembarkation--features dizzying kaleidoscope of vibrantly colored folkloric paintings, tapestries, and murals that cover the floors, walls, ceilings, doors, tables, and even chairs of this uniquely intercultural locale. The restaurant's tap shuttle bus (used for to go deliveries) sits out front, itself an art piece adorned all over with Haitian motifs. Inside the restaurant, patrons eat their Haitian Creole dishes-diri kole (mixed rice and beans), banann peze (fried plantains), kabrit nan sos (stewed goat), and griyo (fried pork)--they are surrounded by artwork that prominently features the Esu pantheon of tricksters and also boasts Black Madonna, evoking the Egyptian Isis tradition. In this roughly ten-foot painting, she towers over an altar lying at her feet, on which rooster and pack of cards are symbolic signifiers of Yoruba-derived Santeria sacrifices. In The Signifying Monkey, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., theorized an African American vernacular oral tradition, rooted in pan-Africanist Esu topes, which, he argued, inflected African American literary production and should be pivotal its criticism. His intercultural premises are, however, highly pertinent not only literature but also varied modalities of African American expression ranging from Haitian art Afro Caribbean and African American dress, dance, and music. His work has had far-flung interdisciplinary ripple effects, impacting not only literary studies but also history, cultural studies, musicology, and performance studies. Indeed, both in the original and the anniversary edition, Gates explores music and performance forms of signifyin(g), black vernacular oral that entails repetition, revision, and transformation through marking, loud-talking, testifying, calling out (of one's name), sounding, rapping, playing the dozens (52). In the original publication, he claims jazz distinctive form of signifyin(g) because of its principle of repetition and difference, this practice of intertextuality, which has been so crucial the black vernacular forms of Signifying,) (70). Gates explores afresh the interdisciplinary implications of his seminal literary theory in the twenty-fifth-anniversary edition with new introduction, titled Hip-Hop and the Fate of Signifying. In it, he concedes that he is a self-confessed Old School devotee who believes genre had nothing on rhythm and blues, Motown, and soul music of the late fifties and sixties, not mention America's most original, most sublime, and most sophisticated contribution world civilization, jazz. He emphatically restates his conviction, originally articulated in 1988, that jazz is based on the art of riffing, on repetition and revision, the very definition of signifying in the [black vernacular] tradition (xxx). His aesthetic preferences notwithstanding, in this new introduction Gates goes on unequivocally place contemporary hip-hop and sampling--and sampling's origins in the Jamaican immigrant community of New York city--in the signifying tradition, and deems the genre as original and innovative any intertextual literary relationship I have explicated in this book (xxxii). Gates's inclusion of hip-hop and sampling part of the black expressive is also an obvious acknowledgment of the now sizable body of scholarship on African American nonliterary expressive traditions--performance, visual media, and sartorial self-expressions--scholarship only made possible by the original publication of The Signifying Monkey. The interdisciplinary implications of Gates's theories--namely, black expressive writ larger than literature--reverberate in particular facets of my own work on the relationship between the signification of black dress and performance figurative self-representation, on the one hand, and white parodies of black self-expression, on the other. …

Incidental finding of a persistent sciatic artery aneurysm

Normal 0 false false false EN-GB ZH-CN X-NONE A 78 year old Afro Caribbean male, presented via accident & emergency following a mechanical fall. Work-up investigations revealed an incidental 6.2 cm persistent sciatic artery aneurysm. Following discussion with the vascular surgeons, lower limb angiography and a lower limb arterial duplex were performed. This demonstrated the true morphology of the persistent sciatic artery where it was shown to be the dominant blood supply to the leg; the superficial femoral artery in comparison was small and petered distally. Treatment options were considered including embolization of the aneurysm and endovascular repair with a covered stent. Both options were considered too high risk for compromising the blood supply to the entire leg and the patient was managed conservatively. A persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a congenital anomaly, with an incidence estimated to be in the region of 0.03 % -0.06%. 5 Persistence of the embryological sciatic artery is rare and any patient with a PSA must be managed uniquely and in a considered manner. This case demonstrates the clinical significance of this anatomical variation and the potential pitfalls of treatment without adequate imaging of the lower limb. Patients with a patent sciatic artery are more prone to atherosclerotic degeneration and aneurysm formation, and this occurs in up to 44% [1] . Lack of recognition that the main blood supply to the lower leg is from a PSA may lead to inappropriate bypass grafting for what appears otherwise to be an occluded superficial femoral artery.

Achievement of Complete Hematological Remission and Reversal of High HTLV-1 Viral Loads with Anti CCR-4 Monoclonal Antibody Administration in Afro Caribbean Patients with Relapsed Chronic Adult T Cell Leukaemia (ATLL)

IntroductionThe management of heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed ATLL is challenging. These patients display chemo-refractory disease with limited therapeutic options. The Kyowa Hakko Kirin protocol 0761-009 is a randomized controlled trial of anti-CCR4 monoclonal antibody therapy (mogamulizumab) compared with physician choice of salvage chemotherapy in relapsed ATLL. ATLL arises in HTLV-1 infected patients with high pre-morbid HTLV-1 proviral loads (>4–10 HTLV-1 DNA copies/ml)1.MethodsThree patients, female, age 38 - 72 years and of Afro Caribbean origin, with relapsed chronic ATLL, have been recruited to 0761-009 in London. All patients had received two or more lines of therapy: #1 zidovudine (ZDV)/Interferon-a (IFN), anti-CD25/bortezomib; #2 ZDV/INF, anti-CD25/bortezomib, etoposide, Gemcitabine/Oxaloplatin; #3 sodium valproate, ZDV/IFN, etoposide. Lymphocyte counts at study entry were 7.8 - 33.5 x 109/L with high HTLV-1 proviral loads (range 25.4 - 122.4 HTLV-1 DNA copies/100 PBMC). Anti-CCR4 mAb was administered at a dose of 1mg/kg over 1 hour, weekly for 4 weeks and every 2 weeks thereafter. Data were censored 17/06/2014.ResultsAll three patients achieved complete hematological remission (CR) after 1 – 2 infusions. Patient #1 remains on treatment and in CR day 397. Patient #2 received 3 treatment cycles with normalization of lymphocyte count and complete resolution of extensive cutaneous lesions (baseline SWAT= 93.6) but treatment was discontinued after 3 cycles due to, now resolved, drug toxicity. Patient #3 remains on treatment and in CR at day 139. In each case HTLV proviral load fell to 0.02% < 0.7% and have remained <1% for the duration of therapy.ConclusionsAlthough a small case series these data illustrate the efficacy of anti-CCR4 mAb in ATLL, particularly in the chronic form, despite prior treatment failure and support the data observed in the Japanese cohort where CR was achieved in patients with blood compartmental disease, particularly chronic ATLL2. However, the extent of reduction in HTLV-1 proviral load with anti-CCR4 was not observed previously in these patients (or others who achieved CR with zidovudine/interferon the first line treatment of chronic ATLL). The reduction in HTLV-1 proviral burden to <1% suggests not only clearance of circulating HTLV-1 infected malignant clones but additional depletion of HTLV-1 infected non-malignant clones. This will be confirmed by unique integration site analysis.Reference List(1) Hodson A, Laydon D, Bain BJ, Fields P, Taylor GP. Pre-morbid HTLV-1 proviral load, rather than percentage of abnormal lymphocytes, is associated with an increased risk of aggressive ATLL. Haematologica2013; 98(3):385-388.(2) Ishida T, Joh T, Uike N, Yamamoto K, Utsunomiya A, Yoshida S et al. Defucosylated anti-CCR4 monoclonal antibody (KW-0761) for relapsed adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma: a multicenter phase II study. J Clin Oncol 2012; 30(8):837-842. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

A simple method for introducing care planning into specialist diabetes clinics. The WICKED project

AbstractDiabetes care planning is a systematic way of establishing a partnership between people with diabetes and health care services. We piloted a systematic patient‐driven care planning consultation process in our routine specialist diabetes clinics.A document based on all key care processes was given to and completed by patients prior to their consultation. The completed document was used to structure the clinic consultation. Patient and doctor outcomes were assessed by post consultation questionnaires.Of 148 patients, 101 responded; 55 male, age 60 ± 12 years, duration of diabetes 12 ± 9 years, 67 on insulin, 3 new and 98 review patients; 63% were Caucasian, 14% Asian, 4% Afro Caribbean and 19% unknown ethnicity. In global assessment by patients, the process scored ‘good’ or ‘very good’ in 80%, as it did in the other more specific domains (n = 7). Among doctors, 10 of 12 rated the structured patient‐driven consultation process good or very good, reporting increased patient engagement, shared decision making and communication; they felt it was more time consuming though worthwhile. Crucially, it increased insight into patients’ needs.In patient‐centric consultations: patients did use the opportunity to assess, categorise and prioritise their health concerns with a high degree of satisfaction; health professionals found that of benefit; this was implementable within busy routine specialist diabetes clinics. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Early-life factors are associated with nocturnal cortisol and glucose effectiveness in Afro-Caribbean young adults.

Early-life factors (including intrauterine growth retardation) may influence the development of type 2 diabetes. We postulated that birth size is associated with cortisol levels, which itself could alter serum adipomyokines (i.e. adiponectin, IGF-I, myostatin) and glucose metabolism. An observational study with 60 Afro-Caribbean young adults from a birth cohort. Fasting blood was drawn for serum adiponectin, IGF-I and myostatin. A frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test measured insulin sensitivity (SI), acute insulin response (AIRg), disposition index (DI) and glucose effectiveness (Sg). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Salivary cortisol was collected at home at 0800 and 2300 h. Sex-adjusted correlations were used to explore the relationships between birth size, cortisol and the metabolic variables. The participants were 55% male, mean age 23·1 ± 0·5 years. Birth weight correlated positively with 2300-h cortisol (P = 0·04), although not after adjusting for gestational age. Gestational age was correlated with 2300 h cortisol (r = 0·38, P = 0·03), even after adjusting for birth weight (P = 0·02). 2300 h cortisol was not associated with adiponectin, IGF-I, myostatin, SI, AIRg or DI, but was negatively correlated with Sg (r = -0·30, P = 0·05) even after adjusting for birth and adult anthropometry. Adiponectin, IGF-I and myostatin were unrelated to glucose metabolism. Gestational age is associated with higher nocturnal cortisol, which in turn is associated with lower glucose effectiveness in adulthood. Higher glucose effectiveness could therefore be a compensatory mechanism to improve glucose uptake.

PPO.53 Ethnic differences in women attending preterm clinics

Preterm birth is more common in Afro Caribbean women. Previous research and management rarely stratifies by ethnicity. Interventions do not always take aetiology into account. We evaluated the risk factors...

34 Ethnic and Gender Differences in Symptom-to-Door Times in Patients Presenting with St Elevation Myocardial Infarction

IntroductionStudies have shown higher in-hospital mortality for female patients and ethnic minorities admitted to hospital with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Pre-hospital delay is associated with increased in-hospital mortality....

Diagnosis of cardiac structural changes: Utility of altered gadolinium kinetics on cardiac magnetic resonance

We read with great interest the article by Dwivedi et al. [1] entitled “Progressive breathlessness in an Afro Caribbean hypertensive subject”, which was published in the previous issue of ”Cardiology Journal”. They aimed to show diagnostic utility of hyper-enhancement patterns on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in differentiating a range of structural changes that manifest as increased wall thickness. They also mentioned that primary cardiac amyloidosis could not be excluded on the basis of the T1 mapping findings. This case highlights the diagno stic abilities of CMR in questionable cases, yet we have some comments about the article. In addition to the enhancement pattern, myocardial tagging magnetic resonance images can show any active displacement and deformation of tags in regions conflicting with septal hypertrophy. In amyloid patients, differences in T1 between subepicardium, myocardium, subendocardium, and blood are present. Gadolinium washout from blood and myocardium is significantly faster in amyloid patients, resulting in a higher blood T1 over time [2, 3]. In conclusion, late gadolinium enhancement provides incremental information for differentiating a range of structural changes. Subendocardial T1 over time is significantly lower than blood and myocardium ones, and diagnosis can be established using the combination of enhancement pattern and subendocardial-blood T1 difference with > 90% concordance.

Recurrent hair loss resulting from generalized proximal trichorrhexis nodosa in a Nigerian female

Hair and scalp disorders commonly seen in the African female have been associated with hair care practices. Distal trichorrhexis nodosa (TN) has been commonly reported with various forms of trauma to the hair from hair grooming practices. We report the case of recurrent generalized hair loss resulting from proximal TN in a 28-year-old Nigerian female with atopy. The use of chemical relaxers precipitated each episode of hair loss. Generalized proximal TN has been reported in those of afro Caribbean descent. The acute nature and extent of the hair loss suggest there may be some underlying structural defect in such individuals.

Pitfalls in the measurement of skin autofluorescence to determine tissue advanced glycosylation content in haemodialysis patients

Skin autofluoresence has been advocated as a quick non-invasive method of measuring tissue advanced glycosylation end products (AGE), which have been reported to correlate with cardiovascular risk in the dialysis patient. Most studies have been performed in patients from a single racial group, and we wanted to look at the reliability of skin autofluoresence measurements in a multiracial dialysis population and whether results were affected by haemodialysis. We measured skin autofluoresence three times in both forearms of 139 haemodialysis patients pre-dialysis and 36 post-dialysis. One hundred and thirty-nine patients, 62.2% male, 35.3% diabetic, 59% Caucasoid, mean age 65.5 ± 15.2 years were studied. Reproducibility of measurements between the 1st and 2nd measurements was very good (r(2 ) = 0.94, P < 0.001, Bland Altman bias 0.05, confidence limits -0.02 to 0.04). However, skin autoflourescence measurements were not possible in one forearm in 8.5% Caucasoids, 25% Far Asian, 28% South Asians and 75% African or Afro Caribbean (P < 0.001). Mean skin autofluorescence in the right forearm was 3.3 ± 0.74 arbitrary units (AU) and left forearm 3.18 ± 0.82 AU pre-dialysis, and post-dialysis there was a fall in those patients dialysing with a left sided arteriovenous fistula (left forearm pre 3.85 ± 0.72 vs post 3.36 ± 0.55 AU, P = 0.012). Although skin autofluorescence is a relatively quick non-invasive method of measuring tissue AGE and measurements were reproducible, it was often not possible to obtain measurements in patients with highly pigmented skin. To exclude potential effects of arteriovenous fistulae we would suggest that measurements are made in the non-fistula forearm pre-dialysis.

SAT0046 Should there be Different Disease Activity Criteria for Assessment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis According to Ethnic Backgrounds?

BackgroundPrevious studies on RA features between different ethnic groups have mainly focused on disability and disease activity scores, structural damage, genetic factors and health inequalities. However, data on RA distribution...

AB0461 The burden of behçet’s disease in the south thames and, se coast regions – a regional review

BackgroundBehcet’s disease(BD) is a rare inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology, with estimated prevalence of 1- 2 per 100,000 in the UK. In routine clinical practice patients with BD present challenges...

157 CARDIOVASCULAR ADAPTATION IN ATHLETES OF SOUTH ASIAN ORIGIN: RELEVANCE TO UNIVERSAL IMPLEMENTATION OF PRE-PARTICIPATION CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING

Introduction Regular physical exercise results in structural and electrophysiological cardiac changes, referred to as ‘athletes’ heart9. Ethnicity is an important determinant of such adaptation in athletes; it has been demonstrated that Afro-Caribbean (AC) athletes exhibit a greater degree of cardiac adaptation compared to Caucasian athletes (CA). However, there is conspicuous lack of data on cardiac adaptation in Asian athletes, particularly those of South Asian (SA) origin. This study describes the ECG and echocardiographic characteristics in competitive athletes of SA descent. Methods Between 2011 and 2012, 100 male SA athletes (age 14–35) underwent pre-participation cardiovascular screening with ECG and echocardiography. These athletes participated in cricket (n=40), football (n=27), hockey (n=25) and racquet sports (n=8), and they trained on average 12±6.6 h every week. The ECG findings were classified as Group-1 (training-related) or Group-2 (training-unrelated); and data on cardiac chamber size and wall thickness was obtained using standard echocardiogram. Results were compared with 80 CA and 40 AC athletes, and with 30 South Asian controls. Results The group-1 and group-2 ECG changes were seen in 55% and 9% athletes respectively. Minor T-wave inversions were observed in only 3%, whereas none of the athletes had deep T-wave inversions. The mean LA and LV cavity dimensions were 33.2±4 mm (range 20–42) and 49.5±4.4 mm respectively. Only 2% athletes exhibited an LV dimension of ≥60 mm; an LA ≥40 mm was seen in 5% athletes. The mean LV wall thickness was 9.2±1 mm. None of the athletes had LV wall thickness of >12 mm. A cardiomyopathy was not identified in any athlete. The ECG abnormalities, particularly T-wave inversions were less prevalent in SA athletes compared to AC athletes (p Conclusions The South Asian male athletes demonstrate similar ECG changes to Caucasians, but fewer ECG anomalies compared to Afro-Caribbean athletes. However they exhibit a lesser degree of structural cardiac adaptation which may be influenced by body size and type of sport. The ESC criteria for interpretation of athletes9 ECG may be applicable to South Asian athletes, and upper limits of cardiac cavity dimensions and wall thickness do not differ from Caucasian population. Larger studies are required in this ethnic group.

Mean Total Cholesterol/HDL‐Cholesterol Ratio and hs‐CRP Levels Among Foreign‐born Afro Caribbeans and their United States‐born Counterparts in South Florida

ObjectiveIn a cross‐sectional study we examined total cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL‐Cholesterol) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) values in 66 Foreign‐born Afro Caribbean (FBAC) living in the US for less than 10 years, 62 US‐born Afro Caribbean American (USBACA) and 61 African American (AA) adults (18–40 years).ResultsThere were no significant statistical differences between the groups with respect to TC, HDL‐Cholesterol or TC/HDL‐Cholesterol ratio. However, the AA participants compared to the FBAC and USBACA participants had significantly (p&lt; 0.01) higher hs‐CRP levels (2.2 ± 2.7 vs. 1.1 ± 1.3 and 1.3 ± 1.6 mg/L). This statistical significant difference was also seen in the female ethnic groups but, not the males. There were no correlation between blood lipids and hs‐CRP, however, there were positive correlation between TC and TC/HDL‐C ratio but, negative correlation between HDL‐C and TC/HDL‐C ratio.ConclusionWe have demonstrated statistical significant differences in hs‐CRP levels between different ethnic subgroups of the same racial group. Understanding the ethnic and cultural differences and the variations in health indicators among different ethnic groups of the same race can help us to develop culturally sensitive programs and strategies for the improvement of health outcomesSource of funding: Florida International University Foundation

Progressive breathlessness in an Afro Caribbean hypertensive subject

The sensitivity and specificity of structural assessment of the heart by echocardiography in black hypertensive patients presenting with symptoms of heart failure is often incomplete. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance, mainly by virtue of its ability to characterize myocardial tissue composition, may be of value in differentiating some of the common pathologies noninvasively. We present an illustrative case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a British Afro Caribbean hypertensive patient where at least some features of familial amyloidosis were present on screening echocardiography. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance examination of this case established not only the usefulness of this technique, but also highlighted the importance of recognizing the variations and departure from the usual which one associates with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, so as to arrive at the final diagnosis.

Characterization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in an Inner City Afro-Caribbean Patient Population

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. The literature lacks data on HCC in the Afro Caribbean community. Aim is to study the characteristics and natural history of HCC in Afro Caribbean patients in an urban academic medical center. Methods: A retrospective review of ICD-9 codes was performed to identify patients with HCC evaluated at 2 academic teaching hospitals in Brooklyn, NY between 1999-2010. Both hospitals are located in a community of Afro-Caribbean immigrants. Results: There were 160 patients identified with HCC. Of this group, a total of 133 patients had complete work-ups done at these sites and make up our study subset. The average age was 61.6 +/- 11.49 years. 74% were black patients from Caribbean islands, 11% were Hispanics, 6% were whites and 5% were Asians, remaining 4% were from other or unknown ethnicities. There were 87 men (65.4%) and 46 women (34.5%). The etiology of HCC was related to hepatitis C (HCV) in 78 patients (58.6%), hepatitis B (HBV) in 33 patients (24.8%), and alcohol in 51 patients (38.3%). Cirrhosis was present in 92 patients (69.17%) and 75% of these patients had decompensated cirrhosis. Liver biopsy was performed in 53 patients (39.8%) confirming HCC. The remainder of the cases were diagnosed based on radiographic characteristics of HCC. HCC was infiltrative in 75 cases (56.4%) and 76 patients had multiple lesions (57.14%). Portal vein thrombosis was present in 37 cases (27.8%). There were 57 patients (42.8%) with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Only 23 patients (17.3%) fulfilled Milan criteria and out of these 11 were referred for liver transplantation as the remaining patients were not eligible for transplantation. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) was less than 20ng/ml in 46.6% of the cases. Among the patients who followed up, 80% of them died within one year of their diagnosis. Conclusion: HCC appears to be diagnosed in an advanced stage in the Afro-Caribbean population, making therapy with curative intent rarely possible. AFP levels are not always elevated even in advanced stage HCC. Intense efforts to screen for HCC, HCV and HBV are needed in these patients in order to obtain better outcomes. Further studies are warranted to examine potential barriers to screening, therapy and compliance that may contribute to the poor outcomes in this patient population.

A woman's decision to know the sex of her child prior to birth

Introduction Advances in ultrasound technology have allowed sex determination to be offered to prospective parents during the anomaly scan visit in ultrasound departments. There has been much publicity recently with respect to terminations having been requested based on fetal sex. In other countries there are skewed male to female birth ratios due to ‘wrong sex’ termination, which is usually female. This study has been designed to determine the prevalence of women requesting sex identification and the accuracy of sex determination. Additionally, we have identified demographic and clinical factors, which may be associated with this decision. Methods Ethical approval was obtained from the North West Proportionate Review Board. The study included all 2780 women attending their anomaly scan at Salford Royal Hospital in 2009. From their medical records we have determined how many women requested sex identification, the sex that was predicted and the accuracy of this prediction. We also recorded the women's age, parity, race, religion, and past history of fertility problems. Results The results showed that 74% of women wanted to know the sex of their baby, of whom 1.8% were unable to be told because of the position of the fetus at the time of the scan. Sex determination was correct in 99.4% of cases and there was no significant difference between the identification of males and females. Factors that were significantly associated with an increased desire to know were, being younger ( &lt; 30 years); multiparous; of Afro Caribbean, Eastern European or Chinese origin [chi squared &lt; 0.05]. Jewish women were the group least likely to request the information (32%), along with women aged 41–47 with fertility problems (42%). Conclusion The prevalence, sensitivity and accuracy of ultrasound sex determination have been established in this study and subgroups identified that request this information.

US‐born Blacks have more Dietary and Inflammatory Risks for Coronary Heart Disease than Foreign‐born Blacks in South Florida

ObjectiveTo determine and compare dietary and hs‐CRP values of US‐born Afro Caribbean American (USBACA), African American (AA) and Foreign‐born Afro Caribbean (FBAC) adults.MethodA cross‐sectional study recruited 62 USBACA (30 males; 32 females), 61 AA (30 males; 31 females) and 66 FBAC (31 males; 35 females) adults (18–40 years) living in the US &lt; 10 years. Socio‐demographic, dietary and hs‐CRP values were determined and analyzed.FindingsCompared to the Dietary Guidelines, USBACA and AA adults compared to FBAC adults consumed &lt; 55 % carbohydrates (%) (41.0 &amp; 25.4 vs. 55.4) but, more ≥ 30% energy from fat (%) (65.6 &amp; 72.9 vs. 46.2), &gt; 20g saturated fat (%) (45.9 &amp; 50.8 vs. 35.4), &gt; 300 mg dietary cholesterol (%) (23.0 &amp; 27.1 vs. 16.9) and, &gt; 2400 mg sodium (%) (37.7 &amp; 39.0 vs. 26.2). However, more AA compared to USBACA and FBAC adults (%) (26.7 vs. 8.8 and 10.5) had elevated hs‐CRP (&gt; 3.0 mg/L).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that there are significant differences in mean dietary and hs‐CRP values between FBAC and their US‐born counterparts. Understanding the variations in health indicators among different ethnic groups of the same race can provide healthcare professionals and policy planners with the opportunity to develop culturally sensitive programs and strategies for the improvement of health outcomes.Source of funding: Florida International University Foundation

P2-293 HELIUS: the design of a large multi-ethnic population-based cohort study

IntroductionAs a result of immigration, European societies are becoming increasingly ethnically diverse. In health (care) studies, however, ethnic minorities are usually excluded. There is now a growing awareness that it...

French Caribbean organizations and the ‘Black question’ in France

The rise of French Caribbean organizers of protests in the last decade in mainland France raising issues such as the memory of slavery and discrimination, unveiled strategies of (re)presentation of the group that made various and alternate uses of race and ethnicity (‘Ultramarins’, from the French Overseas Departments, ‘Caribbean’, ‘Afro Caribbean’, ‘Minorities’, ‘French citizens’). The creation of a Federation of Black Associations (the CRAN) in 2005 disrupted the field of French Caribbean organizing by reducing the spectrum of labels of self-identification available in the public arena. How did it modify the strategies, discourses, and practices of French Caribbean activists? How did it impact the forms of their relationships with French institutions? These evolutions will be analyzed in light of the developments of the Black movement during the last five years and the shape it has given to racial and ethnic politics in contemporary France.