A new CDC report on drug overdose deaths in the U.S. from 2002-2022 highlights significant racial and ethnic disparities in overdose mortality rates. While the overall age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths remained stable between 2021 and 2022 at about 32.6 deaths per 100,000 population, rates increased for several minority groups. American Indian and Alaska Native people experienced the highest overdose death rates in both 2021 and 2022, with rates rising 15% from 56.6 to 65.2 deaths per 100,000. This group saw the largest percentage increase of any racial or ethnic category. Black non-Hispanic, Hispanic, and Asian non-Hispanic populations also saw increases…
Author: Disparity Matters
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has found that exposure to air pollution early in life may increase a child’s risk of developing asthma, with the strongest effects seen among socioeconomically disadvantaged and minority children. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, examined asthma diagnoses and air pollution exposure among 5,279 racially diverse children. It found that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) or nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during the first three years of life increased the odds of developing asthma by early or middle childhood. Importantly, this association was strongest for Black children, children whose mothers had…
A recent KFF report highlights significant racial and ethnic disparities in health care affordability and access across the United States. The data reveals that Black and Hispanic adults face greater challenges in affording health care compared to their White counterparts. According to the report, about 60% of Black adults and 65% of Hispanic adults report difficulty affording health care costs, compared to only 39% of White adults. This disparity extends to prescription drug affordability, with Black and Hispanic adults more likely to struggle with medication costs. The impact of these cost barriers is evident in care-seeking behaviors. The survey found that…
White children are more likely to be diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to Black and Hispanic children, according to a new government report. The National Center for Health Statistics found that 13.4% of white non-Hispanic children ages 5-17 had ever been diagnosed with ADHD, compared to 10.8% of Black non-Hispanic children and 8.9% of Hispanic children. The disparity was even greater among older children. For ages 12-17, 17% of white children had an ADHD diagnosis, versus 13% of Black children and 11.7% of Hispanic children. Overall, 11.3% of U.S. children ages 5-17 had been diagnosed with ADHD between 2020-2022. Boys…
A new study examining the effects of state Medicaid expansions under the Affordable Care Act on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women reveals both positive outcomes and areas for improvement in addressing health disparities. The research, published in Health Affairs, analyzed data from 2010-2019 to assess changes in health insurance coverage, prenatal care, and health conditions among AI/AN women following Medicaid expansions. The study found that Medicaid expansions led to increased health care coverage for AI/AN women, with many reporting coverage from both Medicaid and the Indian Health Service (IHS). This effect was particularly pronounced in areas with higher percentages…
The predominantly Hispanic and Black neighborhood of Watts in South Los Angeles is grappling with severe environmental and health issues due to illegal dumping and industrial pollution, according to local residents and researchers. This environmental racism disproportionately affects communities of color, leading to increased health risks and lower quality of life. Genesis Cruz, a Watts native and USC student, describes the visible impact of environmental neglect in her community, including excessive trash and industrial pollution from a nearby metal recycling plant. The plant’s proximity to Jordan High School has resulted in noise pollution, hazardous fumes, and even physical dangers like metal…
A new KFF survey on racism, discrimination, and health has uncovered widespread perceptions of racism across major U.S. institutions, with particularly high levels reported in politics, the criminal justice system, and policing. The study, which examined adults’ views on racism in various aspects of society, found that roughly half of White adults view racism as a major problem in politics, the criminal justice system, and policing. However, Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults were more likely to identify racism as an institutional problem compared to their White counterparts. Personal experiences with discrimination significantly influenced perceptions of racism. For instance, 89% of…
A comprehensive federal review by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has uncovered a significant decline in health care quality during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlights a reversal of progress on many key quality measures, raising concerns about patient safety and persistent health equity gaps. Prior to the pandemic, from 2016 to 2019, more than half of the quality metrics showed improvement. However, the situation drastically changed with the onset of COVID-19. In 2020, 38% of measures performed worse than expected, increasing to 47% in 2021. Patient safety measures were particularly affected, with about…
Black Americans face significantly higher stroke risks compared to white Americans, despite advances in stroke care over recent decades, according to stroke experts. Research shows Black adults aged 45-64 have a 3-fold higher stroke risk than white adults. In 2019, stroke mortality rates for non-Hispanic Black adults aged 35-64 were 2.4 times higher than for non-Hispanic whites. “We do know that there are racial and ethnic disparities in stroke,” said Dr. Santosh Murthy (above) of Weill Cornell Medicine. He noted Black patients have higher rates of intracerebral hemorrhage occurring at younger ages. Experts cite social determinants of health as key factors…
A new study has found that social factors, including race, education, and location, significantly influence whether stroke patients receive crucial clot-busting drugs. The research, to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76th Annual Meeting, reveals concerning disparities in stroke care across various demographic groups. The study, conducted by Dr. Chanaka Nadeeshan Kahathuduwa and colleagues at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, analyzed data from 63,983 ischemic stroke patients in Texas. Only 11% of patients received thrombolytic therapy, a time-sensitive treatment crucial for stroke recovery. Results showed that patients from the least socially disadvantaged group were 13% more likely…