Significant disparities in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) attendance among African American, Hispanic, and young populations has been found in a new study. According to the research led by Sarah Zemore, Ph.D., a senior scientist with the Alcohol Research Group in Emeryville, California, these groups are not receiving optimal care, which is concerning given the effectiveness of mutual-help groups in initiating and sustaining recovery from alcohol use disorders.Alcoholics Anonymous, established nearly 90 years ago, is renowned for its 12-step approach to recovery, which has become a fundamental part of treatment for alcohol and other drug use disorders in the United States. Despite…
Author: Disparity Matters
The Cancer Moonshot, Public Policy, and Medically Underserved Cancer Care Communities from the National Minority Quality Forum and the CEO Roundtable on Cancer. After decades of collaborative effort and relentless pursuit of innovation, the United States is at a pivotal juncture in the fight against cancer, poised to leverage remarkable scientific advancement and cutting-edge technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), to transform cancer care. The integration of AI/ML can enhance early detection, streamline clinical trials, and facilitate personalized treatment plans, enabling a more proactive and informed approach to cancer care. The conclusion of this journey, however, will…
“Across the nation, studies show that Black patients are two to three times less likely than white patients to be seen at private academic medical centers, which have a reputation for providing superior care. Uninsured patients are five times less likely than patients with private insurance to be seen at these types of hospitals. Working at NYU Tisch, the private hospital that was part of the university, we knew that when EMS picked up unhoused patients in an ambulance, they would never bring those patients to the private hospital. They only brought them to Bellevue, the public hospital affiliated with…
The suicide rate among Hispanic Americans has increased significantly over the past decade, raising concerns among community leaders and mental health experts. According to KFF data, the suicide rate for Hispanics jumped from 5.7 per 100,000 people in 2011 to 7.9 per 100,000 in 2021. The trend is particularly alarming among Hispanic youth. A study published in the Journal of Community Health found that the suicide rate for Hispanic children 12 and younger increased 92.3% from 2010 to 2019. Mental health professionals report seeing suicidal thoughts in children as young as 8. Experts cite several factors contributing to this crisis, including immigration…
The passing of Dexter Scott King, a prominent figure in the civil rights community, has cast a spotlight on the significant health disparities facing Black men in the United States, particularly regarding prostate cancer. Research from The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) reveals that Black men are 70% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and twice as likely to succumb to the disease compared to their counterparts from other races. This stark disparity is further exacerbated by delays in screening, diagnosis, and treatment, underscoring a critical public health issue that demands immediate attention.The data underscores a systemic…
Black women are less likely to accept hormone therapy for menopausal symptom management compared to White women, despite similar clinical criteria. A pilot study conducted at an urban university menopause clinic over a three-year period included 113 patients presenting with menopausal symptoms. The study, published by The North American Menopause Society, found that while 49% of eligible White patients accepted hormone therapy, only 24% of Black patients did so. The odds ratio for Black patients’ acceptance was 0.24, indicating a significant racial disparity in the acceptance of both systemic and local hormonal therapy among perimenopausal women.The study’s cohort was 51%…
Mistrust and bias are significant barriers to equal representation in lupus research, impacting Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients the most, despite these groups being disproportionately affected by the disease. Allen P. Anandarajah, MBBS, MS, from the University of Rochester Medical Center, emphasized the longstanding issue of underrepresentation in clinical trials, which is not reflective of the disease’s demographic impact. A 2018 systematic review revealed that Black individuals, who constitute 43% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cases, only accounted for 14% of clinical trial participants. This disparity extends to healthcare affordability, accessibility, and acceptability, with insurance status and region playing significant…
Black women are less likely to receive hormone replacement therapy for menopause symptoms compared to white women, despite experiencing more severe symptoms, according to a recent study. The research, which analyzed data from nearly 66,000 midlife women, found that white women were 40% more likely to be prescribed hormone therapy than Black women. This disparity persisted even when Black women had psychiatric conditions, which were associated with increased menopause symptoms. “Black women were prescribed HRT treatment less often compared to their white counterparts,” the study reported. Only 11% of women in the study had documented menopause symptoms, far lower than previous estimates…
Precision medicine, a cutting-edge approach tailored to individual genetic profiles, is facing significant equity challenges, particularly in the representation of minority and ethnic populations in clinical research. This underrepresentation threatens to widen health disparities among different races and ethnicities in the United States, despite the field’s potential to revolutionize treatment for a wide range of diseases.The Nonprofit Quarterly highlighted these concerns, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive approach to collecting and analyzing genetic data. The lack of diverse genomic data undermines the effectiveness of precision medicine, potentially leading to treatments that are less effective for underrepresented groups.Health equity innovation…