Health Disparities in Bipolar Disorder: Treatment, Research, and Community Engagement-View Presentation

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Video Summary

Dr. Monica Taylor-Desir, an assistant professor at Mayo Clinic and Associate Program Director for Psychiatry, presented on health disparities in bipolar disorder within the African-American community. She highlighted her work in community psychiatry and emphasized the challenges in diagnosing bipolar disorder among Black individuals, who often face higher rates of misdiagnosis compared to Whites. Studies reveal that Black patients are more frequently misdiagnosed with schizophrenia or major depressive disorder. Misdiagnosis leads to delays in receiving appropriate treatments like lithium, a gold standard therapy.<br /><br />Dr. Taylor-Desir's research involves analyzing data from the Mayo Clinic’s bipolar biobank, revealing differences in comorbidities and treatment outcomes between Black and White patients. She underscored the importance of community engagement and inclusive research practices to address disparities. Low participation of African-Americans in genetic research is driven by mistrust and fears of exploitation.<br /><br />Dr. Taylor-Desir advocates for ethical guidelines in research and stresses the need for community advisory boards to bridge gaps between researchers and marginalized communities. She also emphasizes the role of primary care providers and support groups in facilitating better mental health outcomes. Conclusively, involving community insight and addressing social determinants are crucial for advancing equitable healthcare in bipolar disorder.

Keywords

health disparities

bipolar disorder

African-American community

misdiagnosis

community psychiatry

genetic research

ethical guidelines

mental health outcomes

social determinants