The United States continues to struggle with maternal and infant health, particularly for Black women and babies, according to the latest March of Dimes report card. For the second consecutive year, the U.S. received a D+ grade in “The State of Maternal and Infant Health for American Families” report. The report reveals alarming disparities, with Black mothers facing a preterm birth rate 1.5 times higher than white mothers. Black infants are twice as likely to die before their first birthday compared to white babies. Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, president and CEO of March of Dimes, calls this situation “simply unacceptable.” Early data from…
Author: Disparity Matters
A recent cross-sectional study of 150 neighborhoods in Durham County, North Carolina, has revealed a strong association between indicators of structural racism and the prevalence of chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension. The research, led by Dinushika Mohottige, MD, MPH, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, was published in JAMA Network Open.The study found that neighborhoods with higher burdens of structural racism, characterized by lower economic and racial spatial advantage, higher area deprivation, and higher rates of reported violent crimes, evictions, poverty, unemployment, and uninsurance, had greater prevalence of the aforementioned chronic conditions.…
Suicide rates among Hispanics are on the rise, causing alarm among community leaders, mental health professionals, and researchers nationwide. Suicide deaths are increasing fastest among people of color, younger individuals, and people who live in rural areas. Between 2011 and 2021, suicide death rates increased substantially among people of color, with the highest increase among AIAN people, followed by Black and Hispanic people. Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor and researcher at New Mexico State University, emphasizes the need for increased funding towards mental health, particularly prevention programs that acknowledge the unique cultural, legal, and language needs of the Hispanic community. In…
A connection between structural racism and poor health outcomes has been found using neighborhood-level data to link global and discrete indicators of structural racism to common chronic illnesses. The study by Mount Sinai researchers was published in JAMA Network Open. Global indicators included a lower percentage of White individuals, lower economic and racial spatial advantage, and higher area deprivation. Discrete indicators included higher reported violent crime, evictions, poverty, unemployment, uninsurance, and child care density, plus lower election participation, income, and education. The study, which supports a growing hypothesis across the healthcare industry, was conducted in collaboration with experts from Duke, the University…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently begun compensating for patient navigation services, a pivotal move aimed at enhancing cancer care accessibility and quality across the United States. This development, championed by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its advocacy arm, ACS CAN, underscores a significant stride toward mitigating health disparities and improving outcomes for cancer patients, particularly those from underrepresented communities. Patient navigation, recognized for its critical role in guiding patients through the complex landscape of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care, has now gained financial support from CMS, marking a milestone in healthcare policy. The ACS,…
A breast cancer test may yield unreliable chemotherapy recommendations for Black women, a University of Illinois Chicago study reveals. The research, led by Kent Hoskins, MD (above), suggests there are biological differences in tumors between Black and White women, potentially influenced by social determinants rooted in structural racism. These findings underscore the complex interplay between race, health disparities, and cancer treatment efficacy. The study highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to breast cancer care, considering both biological variations and the impact of social factors like healthcare access. Dr. Hoskins emphasizes that while social determinants contribute to poorer health outcomes…
Black women in the United States are sharing their breast cancer survival stories, emphasizing the importance of early detection and consistent monitoring. The narrative highlights a critical health disparity: the underuse of advanced imaging technologies like breast MRIs, which has been linked to higher mortality rates in this demographic. A study by the American Cancer Society points to a complex web of factors contributing to this issue, including biological differences, lifestyle, access to healthcare, and institutional biases. Moreover, the scarcity of research focusing on Black women and a deep-seated distrust in medical institutions compound the problem. Survivors are now taking a…
Pollution from sugar harvesting in Florida disproportionately affects majority-Black communities, impacting over 40,000 residents. This environmental health disparity is part of a larger pattern of industry pollution burdening disinvested Black neighborhoods, while other Florida communities remain largely unaffectedTraditional “pre-harvest” burns clear away cane leaves and ready the plants for the sugar mill. The ash from the cane burning, colloquially referred to as “black snow,” pollute the air and fill nearby residents’ lungs with toxic particulate matter. The shift towards green harvesting, a less polluting method, is occurring closer to predominantly white communities, exacerbating the disparity. This trend reflects a historical…
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that not all moms in the United States start breastfeeding their babies at the same rates. Some racial and ethnic groups have more moms who begin breastfeeding than others. The study looked closely at the numbers and saw that within the Asian group, moms who are Japanese, Korean, Asian Indian, and Filipino were more likely to start breastfeeding. On the other hand, Hispanic moms had different rates, with Cuban moms being the most likely to breastfeed and Puerto Rican moms the least likely. The study showed that Black moms had…
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers have initiated a long-term study to examine the health impacts of the devastating Maui wildfires, with a focus on racial and ethnic disparities. The study, led by Professors Ruben Juarez and Alika Maunakea, aims to recruit at least 1,000 Lahaina and Kula residents affected by the August 2023 wildfires. Participants will undergo annual tests for the next 5-10 years to analyze exposure to environmental hazards and long-term health outcomes.The research emphasizes the importance of including minority groups, with at least 32% of Lahaina’s residents being foreign-born. Veronica Mendoza Jachowski, Co-Founder of Roots Reborn, a partnering…