In efforts to combat health disparities, experts emphasize the need for a data modernization approach that includes comprehensive collection and analysis of health-related information across diverse populations. A recent analysis highlights the persistent underrepresentation of racial and ethnic data in U.S. clinical trials, with only 43% of participants’ race recorded over two decades. This lack of detailed data hampers the ability to address health inequities effectively.The call for improved data systems is not just about technology but also about investing in people. Training and incentivizing healthcare professionals to accurately collect information on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and social…
Author: Disparity Matters
A significant racial disparity exists in Michigan’s organ donation, with Black residents disproportionately affected, a recent analysis reveals. Black Michiganders represent 30.2% of the state’s organ transplant waiting list but only 14.1% of the population. This stark contrast underscores the urgent need for more donors from diverse backgrounds to save lives. Gift of Life Michigan’s Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program is tackling this issue head-on. Community Relations Coordinator Taneisha Carswell engages with students through interactive presentations, aiming to dispel myths and encourage organ and tissue donation among minority groups. During a session at Detroit’s Renaissance High School, Carswell demonstrated…
A nationwide quality initiative has improved stroke treatment rates and timeliness across all racial groups in the U.S., but disparities for minority patients remain, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. Researchers analyzed data on over 1 million stroke patients from 2003 to 2021, examining the impact of the Target: Stroke initiative launched in 2010. They found thrombolysis treatment rates increased substantially for all racial and ethnic groups, from 10-15% in 2003 to 43-46% in 2021. However, after adjusting for patient and hospital factors, Asian, Black and Hispanic patients still had significantly lower odds of receiving clot-busting medication…
A team of researchers at Rutgers University has secured over $7 million in funding to investigate public perceptions surrounding a potential ban on menthol cigarettes. The initiative, led by an unnamed team, aims to challenge widespread misinformation and provide accurate information about the health impacts of menthol cigarettes. Over the next five years, the researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of their public health campaign, which includes developing counter-messages to debunk myths and collaborating with community members to raise awareness about the dangers of menthol and flavored cigars.This study comes at a critical time when the debate over menthol cigarette bans…
A nationwide program called Target: Stroke, started by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association in 2010, has helped improve treatment for stroke patients across all races and ethnicities. However, a new study shows that there are still differences in the care received by different racial and ethnic groups. Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic, led by Dr. Shumei Man, looked at data from over 1 million stroke patients treated at hospitals participating in the Target: Stroke program between 2003 and 2021. They found that the use of clot-busting treatment, which helps break down blood clots causing the stroke, increased…
“Black Americans are far more likely than people of other racial and ethnic groups to report having medical debt. This analysis shows that 13% of Black Americans report having medical debt, compared to 8% of White and 3% of Asian Americans.”
Black women aged 25-44 in the United States face a homicide rate nearly four times higher than their white counterparts, according to a new study published in The Lancet medical journal. The analysis, which examined data from 30 states between 1999 and 2020, reveals a persistent and alarming racial disparity in murder rates that has remained virtually unchanged for over two decades. In 2020, the homicide rate for Black women in this age group was 11.6 per 100,000, compared to 3 per 100,000 for white women. The study found that racial inequities in homicide rates increased in 11 states since 1999,…
A groundbreaking study has revealed that South Asians may face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease due to a decreased ability to repair blood vessels, potentially explaining the observed disparities in heart disease prevalence and severity between South Asians and white Europeans. Conducted by researchers and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study compared stem cell levels involved in blood vessel regeneration between individuals of South Asian and white European descent. Findings indicated that South Asians possess lower levels of these critical stem cells, suggesting a biological underpinning for their increased cardiovascular risk. South Asians,…
People from South Asia, like India and Pakistan, are more likely to get heart disease than people with white European backgrounds. A new study found that this might be because South Asians have fewer stem cells, which are special cells that help repair damaged blood vessels. Researchers from Unity Health Toronto compared the number of stem cells in people of South Asian and white European descent. They discovered that South Asians had lower levels of these important cells. Dr. Subodh Verma, a heart surgeon who worked on the study, said that it’s important to understand why South Asians…
Federal health authorities are intensifying efforts to address the stark racial disparities in cardiovascular health, particularly among Black Americans, as American Heart Month aligns with Black History Month. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) has highlighted the disproportionate impact of heart disease on Black communities, citing challenges such as access to medication, preventive services, and safe exercise environments. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death across most demographics in the United States, with Black individuals experiencing the highest prevalence of any racial group. In response, CMS OMH is promoting prevention and care…