Exploring and mitigating non-medical structural forces driving inequities in maternal health
Author: Disparity Matters
A comprehensive 12-year review has revealed that health care algorithms can both reduce and exacerbate racial and ethnic disparities in patient outcomes. The study, led by Dr. Shazia Mehmood Siddique, examined literature from 2011 to 2023 to assess the impact of these algorithms on health care equity. The research, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found a complex landscape where some algorithms improved disparities while others worsened them. For instance, a revised kidney allocation system was shown to reduce disparities, while certain severity-of-illness scores used in critical care resource allocation perpetuated them. The study comes in the wake of heightened awareness…
The American Heart Association has unveiled a new cardiovascular risk assessment tool that eliminates race as a predictor, marking a significant shift in addressing health disparities. The PREVENT calculator, released in November, estimates 10- and 30-year risks of heart failure, heart attack, and stroke without using race-based equations. Unlike its predecessor, the Pooled Cohort Equations, PREVENT considers factors such as age, cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, diabetes, social determinants, smoking, and kidney function. This approach aims to create more equitable healthcare by recognizing that racial disparities in cardiovascular disease stem from social factors rather than biological differences. “Not including…
Spiritual care providers play a crucial role in addressing racial disparities in hospice utilization among African American communities, experts say. Recent research has shown that Black populations have the lowest likelihood of receiving hospice services compared to white decedents. Faith and spirituality are deeply ingrained in African American culture, often influencing end-of-life decisions. Saul Ebema, president of Hospice Chaplaincy, notes that strong faith can sometimes conflict with hospice care acceptance, as it may be viewed as “giving up on faith.” Wayman Scott, associate director at Gilchrist, emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of faith-based barriers among African Americans…
Physician shortages and medical deserts are intensifying health disparities in the United States, particularly affecting older Americans and marginalized communities. The lack of diversity among healthcare providers exacerbates the issue, as studies indicate patients from underserved groups are more satisfied and adhere better to medical advice when treated by doctors with similar life experiences. The American Medical Association President, Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., MPH, has emphasized the urgency of the national physician shortage, which is already limiting access to care for millions. The shortage is expected to worsen, with a projected shortfall of at least 37,000 physicians. Contributing factors include administrative…
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals significant racial disparities in discussions about redirecting care for extremely preterm infants. Redirection of care, a critical process involving conversations about shifting from intensive, life-sustaining treatments to comfort-focused care, occurred less frequently for Black and Hispanic infants compared to White and non-Hispanic infants. The study, conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network, examined approximately 15,600 infants born before 29 weeks of gestation between April 2011 and December 2020. Researchers investigated whether infant care was redirected based on maternal social determinants and assessed death rates and…
In a significant shift within the field of gun violence research, a new wave of diverse scholars is bringing fresh perspectives and personal experiences to tackle one of America’s most pressing public health issues. This change comes in the wake of renewed federal funding for gun violence studies, which had been largely stalled since 1995.The impact of this diversity is profound, particularly in addressing health disparities. Black adults are 10 times more likely than their white counterparts to die by gun homicide, and Black children face nearly four times the risk of dying by gunfire compared to white children. These…
The language used by physicians can contribute to health disparities and marginalize patient care, especially for racial and ethnic minorities, according to a new report from MedCentral. The special report, “Why the Language Used in Medicine Matters,” emphasizes the need for doctors to continually educate themselves on factors driving health inequities in their patient populations. Dr. Jasmine Sharma, a leading expert interviewed for the report, stated, “Regardless of their training and post-graduate experiences, it’s imperative for physicians to continue learning about factors that contribute to health disparities in their patient population and to use inclusive language to provide patient-centered care.”…
The risk of stroke associated with sleep apnea may vary between Black and white people, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology. Researchers found that white people with diagnosed or high-risk sleep apnea faced an increased stroke risk, while Black people did not show a similar association. The study, involving 22,192 participants with an average age of 64, followed subjects for an average of 12 years. Among white participants, those with diagnosed sleep apnea were 33% more likely to have a stroke compared to those without the condition. White individuals at high risk for sleep apnea also showed…
A new study reveals that medical debt is associated with poorer health status and increased mortality rates across U.S. counties, with racial minorities disproportionately affected. The cross-sectional study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from 2,943 U.S. counties to examine the relationship between medical debt and various health outcomes. Researchers found that a 1% increase in the population with medical debt corresponded to 18.3 more physically unhealthy days and 17.9 more mentally unhealthy days per 1,000 people over 30 days. Additionally, this increase was linked to 1.12 years of potential life lost per 1,000 people and a rise of…