Black residents of Los Angeles County experience the poorest health outcomes of any racial group, according to a new survey that reveals stark inequities in the health of different communities. The 2023 Los Angeles County Health Survey, presented Thursday by county health officials, found that Black Angelenos have the highest rates of high blood pressure, asthma and obesity. Latino residents face the highest rates of diabetes and COVID-19. “Our work is to make sure that this information never gets used to perpetuate false narratives, but is always used to drive action to promote equitable health outcomes,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of…
Author: Disparity Matters
A new study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reveals significant racial disparities in sickle cell disease (SCD) prevalence among newborns across 11 U.S. states. The research, conducted from 2016 to 2020, found that SCD affects one in every 350 non-Hispanic Black newborns, compared to one in 2,070 newborns overall. The study analyzed data from state newborn screening programs and birth certificates, identifying 3,305 newborns with confirmed SCD. Of these, 90% were Black and 4% were Hispanic or Latino. The findings underscore the disproportionate impact of SCD on racial and ethnic minority communities. Researchers also examined the social vulnerability…
A new study by the CDC’s Sickle Cell Data Collection Program has found that mothers of newborns with sickle cell disease are more likely to live in socially vulnerable counties. The study, which analyzed data from 11 states between 2016 and 2020, identified 3,305 cases of sickle cell disease among newborns. Lead author Dr. Mary Kayle and her colleagues found that 31% of mothers of affected newborns lived in counties with the highest levels of social vulnerability, compared to just 17% in the least vulnerable counties. Social vulnerability was assessed using the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index, which considers factors such…
Black patients on the heart transplant waitlist are less likely to have donor heart offers accepted compared to white patients, according to a new study analyzing organ transplant data. Researchers examined records from the United Network for Organ Sharing database covering October 2018 to March 2023. They found significant disparities in donor heart offer acceptance rates based on both race and gender. White women had the highest rate of first donor heart offer acceptance at 17.5%, followed by Black women at 14.0%, white men at 10.3%, and Black men at 7.9%. This trend persisted through subsequent offers. “These findings highlight disparities…
The U.S. government has decided to make some changes to the way it asks people about their race and ethnicity on forms like the census. They’re adding new options for people to choose, including “Middle Eastern or North African” and “Hispanic or Latino.” This decision comes after many years of research and talks among government officials. They want to make sure that everyone’s background is represented fairly and accurately. When people fill out these forms in the future, they’ll see at least seven different categories to pick from, and they can choose as many as they need to describe themselves. For each…
Researchers at UCLA have launched a new study aimed at increasing access to cancer genetic testing for underrepresented minority women, who have historically faced barriers to such services. The HERSTORY (Hereditary Exploration and Research for Screening and Testing for Oncology Risks in Women) study will examine inherited genetic predispositions to cancer in women with a family history of the disease. It seeks to improve early detection and prevention opportunities, particularly for minority populations. “Under-represented minority women, in particular, have been less likely to undergo genetic testing for cancer predisposition, leading to missed opportunities for early detection and prevention,” said Dr. Beth Karlan…
Maternal mortality rates in the United States are on the rise, with women of color disproportionately affected. Over 5.6 million women live in maternity care deserts, areas with limited or no access to maternity healthcare. For Latina mothers, lack of insurance and healthcare access are significant contributors to maternal mortality. A 2019 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report found Latina mothers less likely to receive prenatal care compared to white mothers. Racial disparities and systemic racism play major roles in maternal mortality among women of color. Healthcare providers often exhibit implicit bias favoring white women and discrimination against women…
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) reports that implementing a race-neutral formula for kidney transplant eligibility has led to more Black patients receiving needed kidneys. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) approved a new national measure in June 2022 requiring transplant hospitals to use a race-neutral formula when placing patients on waitlists, with implementation required by January 2024. The previous formula, called Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR), included a Black race coefficient that often resulted in delayed treatment and longer waitlist times for Black patients. Dr. Michael Casey, transplant nephrologist at MUSC, explains that this coefficient stemmed from long-standing…
A recent National Library of Medicine (NLM) lecture explored the limitations and ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence in healthcare, particularly in cancer diagnosis. AI ethics expert Meredith Broussard (above) emphasized that while AI can support medical professionals, it should not be relied upon as a standalone diagnostic tool. Broussard shared her personal experience with breast cancer to illustrate the current capabilities of AI in medical imaging. Contrary to expectations of a detailed analysis, the AI algorithm she encountered simply highlighted an area of concern on a mammogram, requiring physician follow-up for actual diagnosis. The lecture stressed that AI is best suited for…
Access to CAR T cell therapy, a personalized cancer treatment that has transformed outcomes for many patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), reveals stark disparities along racial lines. This innovative therapy harnesses the power of modified T cells to target and destroy cancer cells, offering hope for those who have exhausted other treatment options. However, a recent study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania highlights alarming inequities in its availability, particularly for minority populations. At the Abramson Cancer Center in Philadelphia, where minority populations make up a larger percentage of the patient base, only 6.7 percent of patients receiving CAR…