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TRCflTmcnT • connnueD mom 6 why the disparity persists. When it comes to treatment for pain, differences between African-Americans and whites have been striking. Last month, a study published in the Journal of Pain reported that 86.9 percent of pharmacies in white ZIP codes in Michigan stocked sufficient supplies of the medications compared to 54.2 percent in minority ZIP codes in the state. Other studies have reported that African-American nursing home residents were two-thirds more likely to get no treatment for pain and that two-thirds of blacks received ineffective treatment for cancer pain. The team of researchers at St. Louis University School of Medicine will examine about 500 case records from the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation plus depositions of people who filed claims. The four-year, $900,000 grant from the federal government will allow the researchers to study why African-Americans in Missouri receive less treatment for lower back pain than whites. , The study follows earlier work by the researchers in which they documented disparities in treatment for African-Americans and whites. They concluded that less money was spent on medical care for African-Americans with work-related back pain, and that blacks received smaller settlements and fewer compensated work absences for their injuries than whites. Long-term health outcomes for African-Americans also were worse. They interviewed about 1,500 people in St. Louis, St. Louis County and Jackson County who reported work related back injuries and had claims settled. The team’s research has been published in several medical journals over the last year. “What became clear was that people were being treated differently,” said Raymond Tait, a professor of psychiatry at St. Louis University School of Medicine who has been studying pain issues since 1978. “We wanted to know what was going on.” By understanding the cause of disparities, researchers hope to design interventions to reduce them, Tait said. The team chose to look at Workers’ Compensation records because the system was designed to address work related injuries in a standardized way, unlike health insurance coverage, which can vary widely. In their previous research, investigators expected to find disparities, but were surprised at the extent, Tait said. “There were huge differences,” Tait said. As a result, African-Americans have suffered disproportionately, physically, emotionally and financially, he said. For example, three times as much money was spent on medical care for whites and four times as much was paid out in Workers’ Comp disability settlements. . “It appears that if you are Caucasian with a back injury, you are four times more likely to undergo surgery,” Tait said. Researchers studied only blacks and whites because there wasn’t enough Workers’ Comp data available on other groups to be statistically reliable. Beware of what lurks within your sheets Michael LaPorgia KNIGHT R1DDER NEWSPAPERS Warning: What you’re about to read might keep you up at night. Or at least keep you away from your bed for a while. The reason is dust mites — those tiny bugs that live in linen and pillowcases and feed on your dead skin — and the problems they can cause when you press your face into them for months at a time. “Taxonomically, they’re related to spiders, which always grosses people out,” says Dr. Michael Bykowsky, a Columbia allergist. The Mayo Clinic estimates the average bed contains between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites. “Your bed is especially inviting to dust mites,” the clinic’s Web site cautions. “To them, it’s a warm, cozy, all-you can-eat buffet that’s restocked every night with yummy food.” Bykowsky explains the critters’ fondness for bed sheets this way: “They like a warm, humid environment,” he says. “When you’re in your bed, it’s both warm and humid there, so they thrive.” An allergy to dust mites, or to the feces or decaying body parts they leave behind, can make life miserable — like allergy season, only worse. “The biggest difference is, pollen is seasonal,” Bykowsky says. “And you can control your exposure just by not going outside.” Dust mites, however, scurry over mattresses, bed sheets and pillows year-round, and they’re generally more irritating than other allergens. Studies have linked dust mite allergies with seasonal pollen allergies. Experts theorize that dust at home might cause chronic inflammation, making sufferers more susceptible when allergy season rolls around. And in a home, mjtes are often everywhere. “If it’s a fabric or material, dust mites can live in it,” Bykowsky says. So what can you do about it? A new mattress isn’t necessarily the answer, Bykowsky says, as studies have found mattresses come with dust mites already living in them. The solution is allergen proof encasements — zippered cases made of vinyl or tightly woven fabric that act as barriers against dust mite allergens. “Their pores are so small that the fecal particles can’t get through,” Bykowsky says. “Typically we tell people to put these on and leave them on, and you don’t need to take them off and wash them regularly.” Bykowsky recommends encasing pillows, mattresses and box springs. He also encourages people to wash their linens weekly in hot water, “and hot is greater than 130 degrees Fahrenheit.” Doing so, Bykowsky says, will dramatically cut down on the effects of dust mite allergies, a problem many people don’t even know they have. Early Grace Today “GAMES OF LOVE AND CHANCE”: 7, 9:15 p.m. Nickelodeon Theatre, 937 Main St. $5.50 with student ID. THE BIRDCAGE: DRAG SHOW: 8 p.m. Russell House Ballroom. COLUMBIA AFTER DARK: 7 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 1530 Main St. No cover. Tuesday EARLY GRACE, MERIDIAN & MAYCOMB, AN EMPTINESS BEGINNING, SOULS IN THE SHADOWS: 7 p.m. New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St. $8 under 21, $3 over. SOUL THERAPY POETRY SERIES: 7 p.m. Jammin’ Java.4>3, all ages. “GAMES OF LOVE AND CHANCE": 7, 9:15 p.m. Nickelodeon Theatre. $5.50 with student ID. CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Chamber 5 Conks on the head 9 Dwelling place 14 Shirtsleeves 15 Implore 16 Au naturel 17 Pilot’s tote 19 Stately 20 Avoirdupois unit 21 For what_ worth 22 Put into service 24 Taro dish 25 Uses too much nose? 27 Dinner hour 29 Presumptuous 31 Cohort of Curly 32 Bring shame A upon 34 Took in the sites? 38 _Stanley Gardner 39 Oft-used abbr. 41 Musical Porter 42 Intercept unexpectedly 45 Niagara’s source _ UUUd uc Me” 49 Fit to be served 50 Disgraces 54 Made disorderly 57 Big constrictor 58 Cigar residue 59 In honor-of 0 60 La Brea pit fill 61 Flamboyant tie 63 Result ultimately 66 Make a goal 67 John Doe’s dog? 68 Fake coin 69 Comforted 70 Actress Harper 71 Swiss chain DOWN 1 Inflatable boats 2 Wrinkle-free fabric 3 With menace 4 NYC arena 6 Interrupts rudely © 2005Tribune Media Services, Inc. 11/07/05 All rights reserved. 6 Spherical bodies 7 Org. of Toms and Couples 8 Fluid transition 9 African American poet Maya 10 Drinks counter 11 Giraffe’s cousin 12 Religious grp. 13 Dog on “Frasier 18 River horse 23 Waterston and Wanamaker 26 Laertes’ sister 27 Periwinkles 28 Male hawks 30 Lower digit 32 Morning moisture 33 Nest-egg $ 35 Prevent beforehand 36 NFLer Manning 37 Actress Sandra 40 Womanizer 43 Flew Solutions sldNvBslsl3rrM°T1FN¥ _o_n _i_ Jjfo a_ _j_ T®¥ h_ _o _o s_ 3iv nji N 3 a yHT 0 2.1.1. _b_ _v TillT o_ "OBT JL 3BZ JL a 3 s s 3 ^WsTT n i vji i" ■BjL c_ 3 BB 3 a_ TIB 311 iH|3l3l><lvn'BXTvtT^_v_M ■TT1 nW 0_ N_ S_ _N_ 0_ A-2.A. in u_ v_ OIOI H 44 Desires 46 Geisha’s robes 47 Critic Roger 50 Degrade 51 Puccini opera 52 Tex-Mex order 53 Larceny 55 Enjoy avidly 56 Least desirable » portion 59 G-men 62 Raw mineral 64 Compete 65 NATO member Quigmans ♦ By Buddy Hickerson I iSrrv» Li*. “This is my teen daughter, Millicent. She’s going through a quiet period, except for her occasional shout-out to Satan.” Paul ♦ By Billy O’Keefe SO I'M Off TO MAKS SOME NEW FKIENOS TOMV. VOtTRE 60NNA HAVE TO SHARE ME WITH OTHERS OH, VERV. I'U. NEVER MEET ANOTHER PERSON Ll« VOU,^ Af TER ALL., HOROSCOPES ARIES You’re sometimes a Lone Ranger, but that’s not a good idea now. It’ll take a dedicated team to achieve the goals you’ve set. TAURUS Conditions become more complex, requiring more deliberation. You can use what you’ve recently learned to further advance your status. GEMINI Sort through your money and figure out how much you can spend on a treat. Later tonight or tomorrow will be good for a musical outing. CANCER Compromise is required, but once you’ve done that your objective is c^par. All you’ll have to do is go and get it. LEO It’s very important for you to be very respectful now. Finish the job on time. VIRGO Set your goals, rough out your plans and get down to work. The plan will undergo changes, but that’s to be expected. LIBRA This evening and tomorrow are good for meaningful conversations. Invite somebody over you’d like to get to know better. SCORPIO You’re not getting the - cooperation you’d like. Don’t throw a fit. It’s possible that doing things a different way will save you money. ^ SAGITTARIUS If you’ve just decided to do something, and don’t really know how, don’t fret. You’ll be in the mood to study soon. Maybe now. CAPRICORN It’s time to make money, but you’d rather be playing with friends. Therein lies the challenge. AQUARIUS Finish a household improvement by using what you have. It’s a game that justifies all that stuff that you’ve been saving. PISCES Friends can help you get farther than you ever could on your own. Let them know where you want to go. i