Issues of biological and physiological functioning must be examined, with specific correlation on how this influences health care delivery. For example, we know that age can affect, on average, the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of many drugs. There should to be a database developed for basic disease processes, such as diabetes or hypertension, with information on the prevalence, presentation and management issues in various racial or ethnic groups. Research designs must be developed that are sensitive to the complexity of age, race, and ethnicity, and can also examine the interrelationship of education and socioeconomic status. There are resources within the AGS that should be used to develop curriculum for health care professionals including physicians, and medical students.
Annual meetings can continue to address specific topics on ethnic health and aging.
The Geriatrics Review Syllabus should incorporate data on ethnic elders into areas where similarity and differences are known as in cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and hypertension. Areas where information is scant or nonexistent should be addressed as an imperative for more research. One of the primary requirements in providing culturally sensitive medical care, is a basic knowledge of the health status and needs of those groups being served. The provision of medical care continues despite the poor knowledge base that currently exists. There must be the development of a data system using the information and experiences of clinicians who are currently providing care to the various ethnic populations in this country.