A new study reveals that racial disparities in dementia prevalence stem from social determinants of health rather than genetic ancestry. Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that individuals with predominantly Native American or African ancestry face higher rates of dementia due to adverse social conditions, not their genetic background.Investigators analyzed data from a long-running survey in four Latin American countries, highlighting how lower education levels, rural residency, and health issues like high blood pressure contribute to increased cognitive decline. Dr. Jorge Llibre-Guerra, the study’s lead author, emphasizes that marginalized racial and ethnic groups experience higher rates…
Author: Disparity Matters
A new study reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in arthritis prevalence and severity among U.S. adults, with American Indian and Alaska Native populations bearing the heaviest burden. Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 30.3% of American Indian/Alaska Native adults have arthritis, compared to 22.9% of non-Hispanic white adults. The study, published in Arthritis Care & Research, analyzed data from nearly 32,000 participants in the 2019 National Health Interview Survey. Among those with arthritis, American Indians/Alaska Natives also reported the highest rates of severe joint pain at 39.1%, followed by non-Hispanic Black adults at 36.4% and Hispanic…
The critical shortage of Black physicians in the United States, a longstanding issue rooted in historical discrimination, is facing new challenges as anti-diversity laws sweep across several states. Experts warn that these laws, coupled with the Supreme Court’s recent decision to dismantle affirmative action, could further exacerbate the problem and have far-reaching consequences for public health. Despite making up 13.6% of the U.S. population, only 5.7% of physicians are Black, according to a 2022 survey by the American Association of Medical Colleges. This disparity has significant implications for Black community health, as studies show patients are more likely to seek treatment…
Starting program to detect dementia early among Latino community
Increasing biomarker testing among Black Americans
A new study suggests that living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may contribute to higher rates of aggressive prostate cancer among Black men, potentially explaining part of the racial disparity in prostate cancer outcomes. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that Black men residing in poor neighborhoods were more likely to have increased expression of genes related to stress and inflammation. These genetic changes could increase the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. “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 Kathryn…
A common screening method for endometrial cancer frequently misses signs of the disease in Black women, potentially contributing to higher mortality rates, according to a new study published in JAMA Oncology. Researchers found that transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) screening missed over four times more cases of endometrial cancer in Black women compared to white women. The disparity is attributed to Black women’s higher prevalence of fibroids and different cancer cell types. “Black women have an over 90% higher mortality rate after diagnosis of endometrial cancer when compared with white women in the U.S.,” said Dr. Kemi Doll, lead researcher and gynecologic oncologist at…
A new study from the University of Houston reveals alarming racial disparities in maternal health outcomes in Texas. According to research by Annamaria Milazzo, Black women in the state experience severe pregnancy complications at nearly twice the rate of white women. The analysis of Texas hospital discharge data from 2016 to 2022, covering almost 2.5 million births, showed that for every 10,000 hospitalizations in 2022, about 125 Black women faced severe complications compared to 60 white women. This gap has persisted and even widened slightly since 2016. Milazzo, a research assistant professor at UH’s Institute for Research on Women, Gender and Sexuality,…
Investing $210+ million in scientific research on health inequities and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in science and medicine
The shortage of Black doctors in the United States is having a profound impact on the health and longevity of Black Americans, with recent political moves threatening to exacerbate the problem. Despite making up 13.6% of the U.S. population, only 5.7% of physicians are Black, according to a 2022 survey by the American Association of Medical Colleges. Studies show that Black patients are more likely to seek treatment and receive proper care when their physician looks like them. A recent study found that a 10% increase in Black physicians led to a 30-day increase in life expectancy, particularly in areas with…