New research suggests living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer, especially among African American men, potentially contributing to racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that men living in disadvantaged areas had significantly higher activity of stress-related genes, which may promote cancer development. “Our findings suggest an impact of living in disadvantaged neighborhoods—which more commonly affects African Americans—on stress-related genetic pathways in the body,” said Dr. Kathryn Hughes Barry, senior author and assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Researchers analyzed tumor tissue from 218 men with…
Author: Disparity Matters
Mississippi faces a critical shortage of Black doctors, even as lawmakers increasingly target diversity programs in higher education, potentially exacerbating health disparities in a state where nearly 40% of residents are Black. At the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, only 12% of enrolled students are Black, mirroring a statewide problem where just 1 in 10 doctors identify as Black or African American. “A lot of the Black physicians in the state have a bitter taste in their mouth about our medical school,” said Dr. Demondes Haynes, associate dean of medical school admissions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Research suggests health…
A new study indicates that Black women may need to start breast cancer screening at age 42, eight years earlier than current guidelines recommend for the general population. The research, analyzing over 400,000 breast cancer deaths in the U.S. between 2011 and 2020, found that Black women reach the national average risk for breast cancer at 42, compared to 51 for white women. This disparity highlights the ongoing racial inequities in healthcare outcomes. Black women tend to develop breast cancer at younger ages and are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive forms of the disease. One in five Black women…
In a significant step towards understanding health disparities among different racial and ethnic groups, researchers have conducted one of the largest genetic studies to date, analyzing data from over 635,000 U.S. veterans. The study, published in Science, highlights the critical need for diverse genetic data to improve healthcare for all populations. The Million Veteran Program (MVP), which includes participants from various backgrounds, provided the foundation for this research. By examining 2,069 traits, scientists identified 26,049 associations between genetic variants and health conditions or physical characteristics. Dr. Scott Damrauer, the study’s corresponding author, emphasized the importance of this research, stating, “Understanding…
Living in greener neighborhoods during midlife could slow cognitive decline later in life, with stronger benefits seen in disadvantaged communities, according to a new study from Boston University. The research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, found that higher exposure to green spaces in middle age was associated with slower annual cognitive decline equivalent to about eight months. This effect was more pronounced in low-income, densely populated areas. “Our results shed light into the cognitive benefits of increasing green space exposure at a population level, particularly among vulnerable subgroups,” said lead author Dr. Marcia Pescador Jimenez, assistant professor of epidemiology at Boston University…
Providing culturally sensitive treatment for diverse skin conditions while advancing research and advocacy
A new analysis reveals stark regional disparities in women’s cancer deaths, with Southern states seeing significantly higher mortality rates from breast and cervical cancer compared to the rest of the nation. The Commonwealth Fund report examined 2022 federal data, finding that women in Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas and Nevada faced 23-28 deaths per 100,000 female residents from these cancers, well above the national average of 20.9. “Where a woman lives is becoming a key determinant in how dangerous it is to give birth or if she’ll die from cancers considered treatable with proper screening and routine care,” the report notes. This geographic…
Despite decades of progress in cervical cancer prevention, new research reveals persistent disparities in disease burden across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines. A study analyzing data from over 165 million U.S. patients between 2017 and 2022 found that women in low-income areas and communities with higher Hispanic populations face significantly higher rates of cervical cancer. Researchers identified nearly 49,000 cervical cancer cases and over 10,000 patients who required systemic therapy for recurrent or metastatic disease. While higher screening rates were linked to lower cancer burden in the South, this trend did not hold nationwide. In fact, the West showed a…
Addressing racial disparities in maternal health by providing doulas to Black mothers
A new study published in Neurology Clinical Practice reveals significant disparities in post-stroke care access among different racial and ethnic groups in the United States, particularly affecting uninsured Hispanic patients. Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic analyzed data from 1.1 million stroke patients, finding that insurance coverage, ethnicity, and geographic location all play crucial roles in determining a person’s ability to receive care after a stroke. The study’s lead author, Dr. Shumei Man, emphasized the importance of proper care following a stroke, stating, “Receiving the right care after a stroke is crucial to recovery and minimizing disability.” Results showed that Hispanic patients were more…