A recent study published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities has revealed a concerning link between increasing school segregation and persistent racial health disparities in the United States. Researchers analyzed data from 1,051 U.S. counties over nearly three decades, from 1991 to 2020, and found that while residential segregation remained largely stable, school segregation increased significantly during this period. The study, led by Michael Siegel, a professor of public health and community medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, examined the effects of both residential and school segregation on various health outcomes. These included life expectancy, early mortality,…
Author: Disparity Matters
New federal data collection rules may further obscure the economic conditions of Native Americans, exacerbating existing challenges in gathering accurate information about this population. The Office of Management and Budget’s updated guidelines for collecting race and ethnicity data on federal forms could disproportionately affect American Indians and Alaska Natives, potentially rendering them invisible in crucial datasets. Robert Maxim, a research fellow at the Brookings Institution and citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag, highlights that up to 60% of people who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native also select another racial category on federal forms. This often results in their responses being categorized…
A new study suggests that living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may contribute to higher rates of aggressive prostate cancer in African American men. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, reveals a significant link between neighborhood disadvantage and increased activity of stress-related genes in prostate tumors. African American men face a disproportionate burden of prostate cancer, with a higher incidence and more than twice the mortality rate compared to white men in the U.S. The study, co-led by the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Virginia Commonwealth University, analyzed tumor tissue from 218 men with prostate cancer, including 168 African American…
Black Americans face a disproportionate burden of medical debt, highlighting persistent racial health and wealth disparities. A recent study found 38% of Black Americans have medical debt they can’t afford to pay, compared to 23.5% of all Americans earning between $50,000 and $100,000. “Medical debt is more than a financial burden; it is a profound health crisis that disproportionately impacts Black Californians,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, President & CEO of California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute. Experts point to the racial wealth gap as a key factor. In 2019, the median African American household had a net worth of $24,100 compared to…
A new study suggests that lowering systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg may help reduce the risk of dementia, particularly among Black and Latino populations who disproportionately experience both hypertension and dementia. Researchers from Boston University School of Public Health analyzed data from nearly 7,000 adults over 19 years, finding that middle-aged adults who lowered their systolic blood pressure through medication or other interventions saw a modest reduction in dementia risk later in life. The effect was most pronounced in Black and Latino participants. “Despite the increase in hypertension rates, minoritized groups are less likely to benefit from blood pressure reduction interventions,…
The Biden administration unveiled a proposal Wednesday requiring hospitals to meet new maternal health and safety standards to remain eligible for Medicare, aimed at addressing the U.S. maternal mortality crisis that disproportionately affects Black women, Native women, and women in rural communities.Under the proposed rules, hospitals would need to maintain basic resuscitation equipment in labor and delivery rooms, document maternal health training for staff, and have written policies for patient transfers. Even hospitals without obstetrics units would be required to have protocols and supplies for emergency deliveries if they offer emergency services.The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates…
Black women diagnosed with breast cancer are significantly less likely than white women to undergo preoperative breast MRI, potentially putting them at higher risk of needing additional surgery, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Health System found that when accounting for breast density, the probability of having a preoperative MRI decreased from 60.3% for white women to 44.9% for Black women. “The association between receipt of preoperative MRI and extent of surgery was conditional on patient race,” said lead researcher Dr. Sara Ginzberg and colleagues. The study of 1,410 women with stage 0 to III breast cancer found…
A new study led by Cleveland Clinic researchers has identified geographic “hot spots” where targeted efforts could significantly improve colorectal cancer screening rates among Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States. The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, addresses a critical health disparity: Hispanic/Latino populations have the lowest colorectal cancer screening rates among U.S. racial and ethnic groups. The study’s innovative approach uses geographic analysis to pinpoint neighborhoods that may benefit from targeted education or intervention programs. Researchers analyzed public cancer screening and census databases to create an interactive web map illustrating areas where larger Hispanic/Latino populations…
Many new genetic-based immunological drugs rely on a genetic element prevalent in white populations but not in others, potentially worsening racial health disparities, a leading expert warned at the White House Minority Health Forum. Dr. Carmen Guerra (above), Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, highlighted this issue during a panel on research innovation for health equity. She noted that about 80% of therapies currently being studied are specific to an HLA allele common in Anglo populations but not representative of other global populations. “This is going to get worse because about…
Targeting three main causes of premature death among city residents