Neighborhood environments significantly influence health outcomes and equity in the United States, a critical review reveals. The study underscores the connection between residential areas and access to public services like schools, safety, and sanitation, which are often allocated locally. Disparities in neighborhood quality exacerbate health inequalities, with poor-quality housing in disadvantaged neighborhoods posing a substantial public health issue.The review discusses the roots of neighborhood inequality and how these disparities shape health. It also examines policy responses to these challenges. Evidence suggests that interventions at the local, state, and federal levels can mitigate health risks associated with neighborhoods, particularly for racial/ethnic…
Author: Disparity Matters
Significant disparities in alcohol treatment completion rates among women of color in the United States have been found in a groundbreaking study by the Public Health Institute’s Alcohol Research Group. The research highlights a stark contrast in the success rates between racially and ethnically minoritized women and White men. Specifically, Black, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN), and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women experience completion rates that are 12.4, 9.1, 10.3, and 4.8 percentage points lower, respectively, than their White male counterparts. This study is notable for its intersectional approach, examining the combined effects of race, ethnicity, and gender…
Black Americans have the highest cancer mortality rates in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health. This disparity contributes to lower life expectancy for both Black men and women compared to non-Hispanic whites. The statistics are stark across multiple types of cancer. Black men are 1.2 times more likely to develop colon cancer and 1.7 times more likely to get prostate cancer than non-Hispanic white men. They are also twice as likely to die from prostate cancer. Black women face a 40% higher mortality rate from breast…
Avonne Connor studied breast-cancer outcomes among African-American, Hispanic and underserved women and the factors that contribute to unequal outcomes
A new analysis from the National Center for Health Statistics reveals a concerning trend in U.S. maternal health, with the rate of premature births increasing by 12% from 2014 to 2022. The study found that nearly 8.7% of babies were born prematurely, highlighting significant racial and age disparities among mothers. Black mothers face the highest risk, being almost twice as likely as white mothers to give birth prematurely, with rates of 12.5% and 7.6% respectively. This stark difference underscores persistent racial inequalities in maternal healthcare. Age also plays a crucial role, with women over 40 experiencing a higher risk of preterm birth…
“Community Health Centers, which already serve as an essential component of the health care landscape, play a critical role in advancing more equitable and inclusive research.”
Poor sleep hygiene is particularly detrimental to the heart health of Black Americans, warns a group of physicians and experts. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that 43.5% of Black adults get less than seven hours of sleep per night, compared to 30.7% of white adults. This lack of quality sleep can lead to or worsen health problems, many of which disproportionately affect Black people. Cardiovascular health is a significant concern, with the Cleveland Clinic reporting that approximately 47% of Black adults have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, compared to 36% of white adults. “Sleep is not…
A recent decision by a U.S. task force on lung cancer screening guidelines has sparked controversy, highlighting the ongoing issue of racial disparities in healthcare. “Lung cancer screening is not going to be a one size fits all solution,” says Vanderbilt University epidemiologist Melinda Aldrich (above), who advocates for more personalized approaches to assessing risk. Critics argue that the current policies fail to adequately consider factors such as race, genetics, environment, and occupation, which can significantly impact an individual’s risk of developing lung cancer. This oversight has raised concerns among healthcare professionals and advocates who are calling for a comprehensive review…
The United States is grappling with a significant rise in syphilis cases, with rates reaching levels not seen since 1950, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data reveals a 9% increase in infectious syphilis cases in 2022, bringing the total number of cases to over 207,000. This surge is particularly concerning as it disproportionately affects certain racial and ethnic groups. American Indian and Alaska Native populations have been hit hardest, experiencing the highest rates of the most infectious types of syphilis. South Dakota, which has a large Native American community, reported the highest…
The Biden-Harris Administration is taking significant steps to enhance access to treatments for sickle cell disease (SCD), a condition that disproportionately affects Black Americans. The Administration’s Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model, set to begin in 2025, aims to improve health outcomes and lower healthcare costs for vulnerable populations, with SCD being the initial focus. SCD, a painful genetic blood disorder, affects over 100,000 individuals in the U.S. and leads to a reduced life expectancy and frequent hospitalizations. The CGT Access Model, developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Innovation Center, will implement outcomes-based agreements (OBAs)…