Autopsy recruitment program for African Americans.

A specialized brain autopsy recruitment program was implemented within the context of advance medical directives and end-of-life treatment decisions. The program was implemented within the framework of a larger study. The purpose of the program was to (1) improve the rate of consent for brain autopsy among African Americans diagnosed with stroke and dementia, and (2) obtain more empirical information on the underlying reasons for the low response rate (4%) in this minority group.

An exploratory survey of the applications of telemedicine in Ghana.

We examined the use of telemedicine at two major medical institutions in Ghana. Doctors and administrators were surveyed to assess their knowledge of computers and familiarity with telemedicine. The use of modern telecommunications and information technology products within the health service was also examined.

Physical and cognitive functioning among chronically ill African-American and white elderly in home care following hospital discharge.

Objectives: Although race is recognized as an important variable in health status and medical care, the conditions of African-American and white elders have not been studied sufficiently as they enter home care after hospital discharge. This study tests hypotheses that African-American elders enter home care sicker, more dependent, and cognitively impaired.

Methods: Hypotheses were tested in two independent studies, both conducted in a Midwestern city.

Reforming the Ghanaian social security system: prospects and challenges.

This paper examines the major features of the Ghanaian social security system. It discusses the Ghanaian scheme by examining the extent of coverage, criteria for eligibility, and the method of administration and financing. The paper undertakes an assessment of the existing security scheme and highlights its major limitations and weaknesses.

Post-hospital home care for African-American and white elderly.

This study of 208 chronically ill African-American and white elderly entering home care after hospitalization examined race differences in informal and formal services received and adequacy of care. Controlling for marital status, interference in activities from chronic conditions, socioeconomic status, age, and gender in regression analyses, African-Americans received significantly fewer hours of formal care per week but received significantly more hours of informal care per week from the primary caregiver. However, there was a tendency for African-Americans to rate their care as less adequate.