New Medicines in Development to Combat Diseases Disproportionately Affecting African Americans

Developments in pharmaceutical research and biotechnology hold promise for the black community, addressing high rates of asthma, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, and cancer. New medicines in development target specific health issues that disproportionately affect African Americans. With higher asthma rates and a higher likelihood of death from the disease, a new generation of inhaled corticosteroids aims to reduce lung and airway inflammation. The survey by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America reveals medicine in development to improve glycemic control and insulin-glucose balance for type 2 diabetes. Additionally, new medicines target breast cancer, prostate cancer, and sickle cell anemia, with ongoing research in cancer vaccines.

Key Takeaways:

• African Americans are three times more likely to die from asthma, with a higher asthma rate than any other racial and ethnic group in the United States.
• The new generation of inhaled corticosteroids aims to reduce inflammation in the lungs and airways, improving outcomes for asthma patients.
• African Americans are nearly two times more likely to have diabetes than whites, according to the American Diabetes Association.
• A new medicine in development for diabetes has shown to improve long-term glycemic control and the imbalance of insulin and glucose that causes type 2 diabetes.
• Black women are 10 percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer but are 35 percent more likely to die from the disease.
• A new breast cancer medicine targets the Bcl-2 protein, enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
• Black men are nearly 2.5 times as likely to die from prostate cancer as white men, with several vaccines being studied as possible treatments.
• One potential vaccine has tripled the survival rate of men with advanced prostate cancer in clinical trials.
• One medicine in development addresses the dysfunction of the lining of the blood vessels in sickle cell anemia.
• Lifestyle changes, research, and new medicine development aim to address diseases that affect African Americans disproportionately.

Statistics:

• African Americans are three times more likely to die from asthma (American Lung Association).
• African Americans are nearly two times more likely to have diabetes than whites (American Diabetes Association).
• Black women are 35 percent more likely to die from breast cancer (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health).
• Black men are nearly 2.5 times as likely to die from prostate cancer as white men (Office of Minority Health).
• One potential vaccine has tripled the survival rate of men with advanced prostate cancer in clinical trials.

Sources:

• The Triangle Tribune
• Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
• American Lung Association
• American Diabetes Association
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health