FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity Fall Newsletter

FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity Fall Newsletter

Fall is in full swing and FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) would like to share some information about upcoming events and important updates as we all begin to wrap up the year with our families and friends. Check out our newsletter and stay up to date with FDA.

What You Need to Know:

November is National Diabetes Month

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 4 of them don’t know they have it. An estimated 84 million US adults have prediabetes, and 90% of them don’t know they have it. Diabetes can lead to devastating health problems, including heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation, and death. Unfortunately, some minority groups have higher incidence of diabetes and worse disease management and outcomes. Learn what you can do to help manage your diabetes or lower your risk for diabetes. Learn more.

Update: Lung Illnesses Associated with use of Vaping Products

Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention are working tirelessly to investigate the distressing incidents of severe respiratory illness associated with use of vaping products. The FDA and CDC are working closely with state and local health officials to investigate these incidents as quickly as possible, and we are committed to taking appropriate actions as a clearer picture of the facts emerges.

While the work by federal and state health officials to identify more information about the products used, where they were obtained and what substances they contain is ongoing, the FDA is providing consumers with some information to help protect themselves. Read more.

Voluntary Product Recall by Baby Powder Manufacturer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting consumers about Johnson’s Baby Powder Lot #22318RB. A sample from this lot was found to contain chrysotile fibers, a type of asbestos. On October 18, 2019, Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled this product, and consumers who have this lot of baby powder should stop using it.

The results from the Johnson & Johnson sample are part of our ongoing survey of cosmetic products for asbestos. This survey started in 2018 and involves the testing of about 50 cosmetic products. As part of the same survey of cosmetic products, a Johnson’s Baby Powder sample from a different lot tested negative for asbestos. That sample came from Lot #00918RA. Learn more.

FDA MedWatch Form now Available in Spanish

MedWatch is the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) program for reporting serious reactions, product quality problems, therapeutic inequivalence/failure, and product use errors with human medical products, including drugs, biologic products, medical devices, dietary supplements, infant formula, and cosmetics. With recent updates, you can now attach images of the product or fill out the form in Spanish. Learn more.

Upcoming Events:

Veterans’ Day and Veterans’ Health

November 11 is Veterans’ Day and FDA OMHHE would like to remind everyone of the importance of veterans’ health issues. Veterans can face unique health challenges, and diverse participants are needed in clinical trials. Visit our YouTube playlist and watch our videos featuring two retired service members, U.S. Army Retired Staff Sergeant Quinyardo McClain and U.S. Army Retired Command Sergeant Major Zulma Santiago, who both share their experiences. You can also listen to their podcast interview.

Sickle Cell Disease Webinar

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will host a webinar on Thursday, November 14, 2019 from 1-2 PM EST.  Please join us to learn more about the importance of utilizing the primary care setting to manage medical care for individuals living with sickle cell disease. You will have the opportunity to hear from a distinguished panel of speakers as they share their perspectives on the importance of connecting patients living with sickle cell disease to primary care physicians and strategies being used to improve connected care. You can register for this event on the Eventbrite page.

FDA OMHHE Public Meeting on the Opioid Crisis and Health Equity

FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity will host a public meeting, Strategies to Improve Health Equity Amidst the Opioid Crisis, on November 21, 2019 from 9-4 PM ET. The purpose of this public meeting is to share information and obtain the public's perspectives on the current opioid crisis and how it specifically affects minority and underserved populations across the country, approaches to prevent and treat opioid use disorder, emerging research as it relates to improving care for racial and ethnic minority, underrepresented, and underserved populations, and how FDA can support those efforts. You can register to attend in person or via webcast.

World AIDS Day December 1

World AIDS Day began in 1988 and is observed each year on December 1. This annual observance highlights global efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. World AIDS Day is also an occasion to show support for those living with HIV and to remember those who have died from the infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an estimated 36.7 million people are living with HIV worldwide, and some minorities groups are disproportionately impacted. The theme for the 2019 observance is “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Community by Community”. You can visit HIV.gov and our website to learn how to raise awareness and prevent the spread of HIV.