University Study Finds Many Blacks in Alabama Lack Access to Eye Care Practitioners

A survey by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for the Eyesight Foundation of Alabama found that many rural communities in the state are isolated from eye care practitioners. Many of these areas with limited access to eye care professionals are in counties with predominantly Black populations.

Previous research has shown that African Americans in Alabama are twice as likely as Whites to suffer from vision impairment and eye disease, particularly cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

Paul MacLennan, an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and lead author of the study, stated, ““Diversity among health care providers has been shown to help break down barriers to care, improve communication and increase the use of preventive eye care. Enhanced racial diversity among eye care providers, particularly a larger number of African-American providers, could have positive benefits on eye health in the state.”

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

California State University Sacramento Launches Black Honors College

Officially launching for the fall 2024 semester, the Black Honors College will support students from all backgrounds who study Black history, life, and culture by providing them with a specialized curriculum and mentoring opportunities.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: Norman B. Anderson, 1955-2024

Dr. Anderson was the assistant vice president for research and academic affairs at Florida State University at the time of his death. He had an extensive career in clinical psychology, which led him to become the first African American chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association.

Georgia State University Launches Program to Support Black Women in Tech

While Black women account for roughly 29 percent of the Georgia State University undergradaute student body, they represent only 10 percent of the university's computer science majors and 18 percent of the computer information systems majors.

Featured Jobs