IQ, skin color, crime, HIV/AIDS, and income in 50 U.S. states

In 50 U.S. states, we found a positive manifold across 11 measures including IQ, skin color, birth rate, infant mortality, life expectancy, HIV/AIDS, violent crime, and state income with the first principal component accounting for 33% of the variance (median factor loading = .34). The correlation with a composite of total violent crime was higher with skin color (r = .55), a more biologically influenced variable than with GDP (r = −.17), a more culturally influenced variable. These results corroborate and extend those found at the international level using INTERPOL crime statistics and at the county, provincial, and state levels within countries using local statistics. We interpret the cross-cultural consistency from an evolutionary life history perspective in which hierarchically organized traits culminate in a single, heritable, super-factor. Traits need to be genetically organized to meet the trials of life—survival, growth, and reproduction. We discuss brain size and the g nexus as central to understand individual and group differences and we highlight melanin and skin color as a potentially important new life history variable.     

The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity and Mindful Attention in Anxiety and Worry About Bodily Sensations Among Adults Living With HIV/AIDS

The current study examined cognitive factors that may be relevant to understanding anxiety and worry about bodily sensations among an HIV/AIDS population. Specifically, this investigation tested the main and interactive effects of anxiety sensitivity and mindful attention on anxious arousal, bodily vigilance, interoceptive fear, and HIV symptom distress among 164 adults with HIV/AIDS. Results indicated that anxiety sensitivity was positively related to anxious arousal, bodily vigilance, and interoceptive fear, but not HIV symptom distress. Mindful attention was negatively related to anxious arousal, interoceptive fear, and HIV symptom distress, but not bodily vigilance. These main effects for anxiety sensitivity and mindful attention were evident after controlling for disease stage, years with HIV, and demographic variables. There were no interactive effects between anxiety sensitivity and mindful attention. Results are discussed in terms of the clinical implications for identifying and treating anxiety and worry about bodily sensations among adults with HIV/AIDS. Limitations of this study include the use of cross-sectional data and self-report assessments.     

Acceptability and Cultural Fit of Spiritual Self-Schema Therapy for Puerto Rican Women with Addiction Disorders: Qualitative Findings

We present findings on the (1) acceptability of Spiritual Self-Schema (3-S) therapy with Puerto Rican women and (2) fit with women's cultural, gender, literacy, clinical, and religious backgrounds. 3-S is a well-documented efficacious intervention for substance use and HIV risk behaviors. Participants were 13 urban, low-income Puerto Rican women in a residential treatment program in a large Northeastern city.

Findings from therapy session videotapes, focus groups, and clinician memos indicate high acceptability and fit of 3-S therapy for Puerto Rican women. However, lack of fit in several areas indicates the need for modification of specific aspects of 3-S for Latinas.     

Beliefs Contributing to HIV‐related Stigma in African and Afro‐Caribbean Communities in the Netherlands

Thirty years after the first diagnosis, people living with HIV (PLWH) around the world continue to report stigmatizing experiences. In this study, beliefs contributing to HIV‐related stigma in African and Afro‐Caribbean diaspora communities and their cultural context were explored through semi‐structured interviews with HIV‐positive (N = 42) and HIV‐negative (N = 52) African, Antillean and Surinamese diaspora community members in the Netherlands. Beliefs that HIV is highly contagious, that HIV is a very severe disease, and that PLWH are personally responsible for acquiring their HIV infection were found to contribute to HIV‐related stigma, as did the belief that PLWH are HIV‐positive because they engaged in norm‐violating behaviour such as promiscuity, commercial sex work, and, for Afro‐Caribbean diaspora, also homosexuality. These beliefs were found to be exacerbated and perpetuated by cultural taboos on talking about HIV and sexuality. HIV‐related stigma reduction interventions should focus on changing these beliefs and breaking cultural taboos on HIV and sexuality in a manner that is participatory and consistent with the current theory and empirical findings. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

病史采集和体格检查医学行为的人文思考

医务人员的言行都体现了一种职业精神,其医学行为在病患眼里是希望、责任、义务、信任、公正和平等以及等等。病史采集和体格检查是医生的基本功,而正是这项基本技能却随着临床检查仪器和设备的不断更新,正被越来越多的医生所轻视,“望、闻、问、切”正逐渐成为医学历史的痕迹。病史采集和体格检查既体现了一位医生的医疗技能,也蕴含着丰富的人文哲理,是医患相互信任、配合的出发点和归宿,是医生与患者交流和沟通的极其重要行之有效的手段,也是疾病诊治的基本条件和必备元素。     

肢体严重毁损伤保留与否的循证思考

肢体严重毁损伤的修复是当今医学领域的一个研究热点.从循证医学角度对肢体严重毁损伤的保肢与截肢提出思考并加以阐述,同时结合当前我国医疗环境提出一些这方面的倡议.     

完善艾滋病人医疗保险政策的对策探讨

我国基本医疗保险并不拒绝艾滋病人,但由于艾滋病的特殊性,参保艾滋病人在享受基本医疗保险待遇的同时遇到了一些问题,对艾滋病参保人群和医疗保险制度本身都产生了一些影响。在对这些问题进行分析的基础上,有针对性地提出了一些对策,希望能对艾滋病人更好地享受基本医疗保险待遇有所帮助。     

论我国艾滋病防治工作中的政府职能

艾滋病是世界性的重大公共卫生问题和社会问题。近年来,我国艾滋病的流行呈现快速上升趋势,流行范围广,局部地区疫情相当严重,疫情正在从高危人群向一般人群传播。政府的组织领导是做好我国艾滋病防治工作的根本保证,各级政府要强化政府的公共卫生职责,发挥政府的主导作用,动员足够的防治资源和力量,引导社会各方面力量的广泛参与,打一场防治艾滋病的“人民战争”,我们一定能够控制艾滋病的流行。     

论地域传统文化与西部民族地区艾滋病防控

地域传统文化与疾病防控的关系密切,地域传统文化不仅是一种重要的文化资源,对地方的疾病防控也有着极大的促进作用,但有时还会阻碍疾病防控的进一步实施。由于西部少数民族地区艾滋病已蔓延到了非常严峻的时期。预防和控制艾滋病传播迫在眉睫,眼下首先应学习先进文化,急待转变和更新观念,消除地域传统文化摩擦;其次,高度重视教育,提高其人口素质,消除传统文化摩擦。     

论医疗合同的附合化及其规制

医疗合同的附合化主要表现为患者对医疗机构意志的附合化;这种现象是经济与法律发展的必然结果;克服医疗合同附合化的关键在于立法规制,将医疗合同直接纳入《合同法》是现实可行的选择。