The federal government has announced a new census category for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Americans, a change that could have significant implications for addressing health disparities in this population. The White House Office of Management and Budget’s recent decision to add a MENA option to federal forms marks the first time Arab Americans and Chaldeans will have their own racial and ethnic category, rather than being classified as “white.” This change is particularly relevant in Michigan, which has the highest percentage of Arab Americans among all states. Community advocates have long argued that grouping Arab Americans with people of…
Author: Disparity Matters
Significant racial and ethnic inequities exist in the diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depressive symptoms in the United States, according to new research from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The study, published in the journal Health Affairs, analyzed data from seven U.S. jurisdictions and found that while there were no statistical differences in postpartum depression diagnoses across racial and ethnic groups, treatment rates varied widely. Among those with depressive symptoms, 67% of white respondents received mental health treatment compared to only 37% of Hispanic and Black…
A recent Los Angeles County Health Survey has uncovered significant health disparities among Latino and Black residents, with higher rates of chronic conditions and COVID-19 infections compared to other racial groups. The 2023 survey, conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, examined various social determinants of health, including housing, economic security, and discrimination. Latino adults in Los Angeles County face disproportionate health inequities, with the highest diabetes rates (13.5%) among all racial groups. Nearly half of Latino adults reporte daily consumption of sugary beverages, and 35% experienced food insecurity. The survey also revealed that 65.1% of Latino adults…
Racial disparities in Minnesota’s child protection system have prompted state legislation and a federal civil rights complaint, according to a recent Star Tribune report. The NAACP has called for an investigation into alleged discrimination and misuse of federal funds, particularly in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Kelis Houston, chairwoman of the local NAACP’s child protection committee, testified before lawmakers, stating that African American families face harsher outcomes despite entering the system for less serious allegations compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Cindy Devonish, a Hennepin County child protection worker and NAACP member, shared her firsthand experience of the disparities and claimed she…
The dramatic improvements in cardiovascular health across the United States over the past several decades have primarily benefited the wealthiest segments of the population, according to a new study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. The analysis, which examined data from 26,633 U.S. adults between 1988 and 2018, revealed that while overall cardiovascular risk decreased, the gains were concentrated among higher-income groups. For those with the lowest incomes, the risk of having a heart attack or stroke within 10 years actually increased from 8.1% to 8.7%. Lead study author Dr. Adam Richards of George…
Asian Americans face higher odds of cardiovascular risk factors due to social determinants like unemployment and lack of education, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The University of Washington study found that unfavorable social factors were associated with a 14% higher chance of high blood pressure, 17% higher odds of unhealthy sleep, and 24% higher odds of type 2 diabetes among Asian Americans. “Despite the perception that Asian Americans may be less impacted by social determinants of health compared to other racial and ethnic groups, our findings indicate unfavorable social factors are associated…
Stress from such outside factors as being unemployed or not having a college degree increase the chances of heart disease among Asian Americans, according to a University of Washington study of nearly 6400 Asians including a roughly equal number of Filipinos, Asian Indians and Chinese. The research found that these social factors put Asians at a 14% higher odds of high blood pressure, a 17% higher odds of unhealthy sleep, and a 24% higher odds of type 2 diabetes. “Despite the perception that Asian Americans may be less impacted by social determinants of health compared to other racial and ethnic…
A new study reveals that racial and ethnic disparities are responsible for more than 18,000 excess tuberculosis (TB) cases among U.S.-born individuals. The research, conducted by scientists from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sheds light on the persistent inequalities in TB incidence across different racial and ethnic groups. The study, which analyzed national TB registry data from 2011 to 2021, found that TB incidence ratios were 4.4 to 14.2 times higher for American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black, and Hispanic individuals compared to non-Hispanic white U.S.-born persons. These disparities were…
A new study by University of Georgia researchers reveals that the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study continues to influence health behaviors among Black Americans, particularly in relation to COVID-19 vaccination rates. Published in the Journal of Population Economics, the study found that Black residents living closer to Tuskegee, Alabama, were significantly slower to get vaccinated compared to their white neighbors and Black communities in other parts of the country. Lead author Xiaolong “Chris” Hou and his colleagues analyzed CDC vaccine tracker data and U.S. census information to compare vaccination rates across different populations. They discovered that Black individuals within 750 miles of…
A new study reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in arthritis prevalence and pain severity among U.S. adults. Researchers analyzing data from the CDC’s 2019 National Health Interview Survey found that American Indian and Alaska Native adults had the highest rates of arthritis at 30.3%, compared to 22.9% for white adults. More alarmingly, severe joint pain was reported by 39.1% of American Indian/Alaska Native patients with arthritis, 36.4% of Black patients, and 35.7% of Hispanic patients – all substantially higher than the 22.5% rate among white patients. These disparities persisted even after accounting for factors like socioeconomic status and other health…