In the United States, outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), were initially reported in densely populated urban areas (1); however, outbreaks have since been reported in rural communities (2,3). Rural residents might be at higher risk for severe COVID-19-associated illness because, on average, they are older, have higher prevalences of underlying medical conditions, and have more limited access to health care services.* In May, after a cluster of seven COVID-19 cases was identified in a rural Ohio Amish community, access to testing was increased. Among 30 additional residents tested by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR; TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit), 23 (77%) received positive test results for SARS-CoV-2. Rapid and sustained transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was associated with multiple social gatherings. Informant interviews revealed that community members were concerned about having to follow critical mitigation strategies, including social distancing and mask wearing. To help reduce the ongoing transmission risk in a community, state and county health department staff members and community leaders need to work together to develop, deliver, and promote culturally responsive health education messages to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission and ensure that access to testing services is timely and convenient. Understanding the dynamics of close-knit communities is crucial to reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
Background: Propionic acidemia (PA) is an inborn error of metabolism (IEM) that typically presents in the newborn. The Amish of North America have an increased prevalence of PA due to a founder variant in the gene. The Amish PA phenotype is variable, and some individuals remain asymptomatic and undiagnosed until adulthood.
The review focuses on recent genetic studies of the Amish and Mennonite communities, emphasizing their role in understanding genetic diseases across all populations.
Current research highlights include discoveries of new genes related to genetic diseases, phenotype expansions, and potential gene therapies, along with various studies on complex traits like dementia and heart diseases.
The findings stress the need for tailored genetic risk assessments for underrepresented groups and urge clinicians to create management strategies for specific genetic variants prevalent in these communities.
To present a series of 4 patients from the Ohio Amish or Mennonite populations with isolated ectopia lentis. A case series was evaluated. Four cases with bilateral lens subluxations were diagnosed with a homozygous c.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis for women in the USA and ranks second in cancer-related deaths. Disproportionately higher breast cancer rates can be found in rural and Appalachian regions due to several social drivers of health, including poverty, access to healthcare, and lack of culturally sensitive health education. Amish and Mennonite communities, religious groups with distinct cultural practices and beliefs, experience lower mammography screening and higher breast cancer mortality rates (among Amish women).
