International research training of minority and majority students was conducted to understand the role of natural medicines in controlling type 2 diabetes

Health disparities such as type 2 diabetes in under-represented populations in New York and the United States as a whole are major health issues that must be addressed by basic researchers. This can be accomplished by developing a multidisciplinary approach involving organic chemistry of natural medicines, biochemical nutrition, medical anthropology and ethnobotany/medicine. In New York State, the American Indian, Latino/a and African American communities suffer from abnormally high rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems. The problems require expertise in food nutrition, drug discovery and treatment and an understanding of ethnobotany. Politicians, medical health professionals, agriculturists and the President and Deans should care about and play a major role in supporting research that is relevant and important to minority communities in the state. The project is primarily supported by NIH and includes the training of undergraduate and graduate students.

To address this issue of health disparities and drug discovery, research has been conducted in Mexico and the Dominican Republic where plants and products have been collected for biochemical analysis. Information has been collected from communities in the Dominican Republic and Dominicans have also been interviewed in New York City.

The major benefit of our research on health disparities and natural remedies used to stimulae insulin is the awareness on under-represented group to the very harmful effects of type 2 diabetes. People are made aware of synthetic and natural therapies that are important for lowering sugar levels. Also, diabetis are made aware of the nutritional value of food.

biological and medicinal chemsitry

USSD in the Dominican repbulic

Dr. Maria Laux