Despite widespread efforts to reduce sodium intake in the U.S., a new study reveals that racial and ethnic disparities persist—not just in consumption, but in how sodium is sourced and addressed. Using NHANES 2017–2020 data, researchers found that while most adults exceed recommended sodium levels, the sources and behaviors around sodium vary significantly by race and ethnicity.Asian American adults had the highest estimated sodium intake, largely due to unique sources like soy-based condiments, fried rice, and stir-fry sauces. However, when researchers adjusted for the assumption that rice is salted—a practice not common in all Asian cultures—Asian Americans’ sodium intake dropped…
Author: Disparity Matters
Middle-aged Black Americans living with both hypertension and diabetes face a significantly higher risk of neurodegeneration, according to a new study published in The Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. The findings suggest that vascular conditions—not Alzheimer’s disease—may be the primary driver of early cognitive decline in this population. Researchers followed 252 Black Americans from Iowa and Georgia over an 11-year period. Participants ranged in age from 45 to 79 and had diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes recorded in 2008. Blood samples collected in 2008 and again in 2019 were analyzed for neurofilament light chain (NfL), a marker of…
A new study shows that children living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to be diagnosed with chronic health conditions—and the more disadvantaged the neighborhood, the higher the odds. Researchers analyzed data from over 115,000 children and found consistent associations between neighborhood-level disadvantage and the likelihood of being diagnosed with either non-complex or complex chronic diseases.Using four widely recognized indices—the Child Opportunity Index, Area Deprivation Index, Neighborhood Disadvantage Index, and Social Vulnerability Index—the study found that children in low-opportunity or high-deprivation areas had up to 39% higher odds of being diagnosed with complex chronic disease compared to those in…
A new national study reveals a troubling decline in the mental health of mothers in the United States, with the steepest burdens falling on those already facing social and economic disadvantage. Between 2016 and 2023, the percentage of mothers reporting excellent mental health dropped from 38.4% to 25.8%. At the same time, reports of fair or poor mental health rose from 5.5% to 8.5%.The study, which analyzed data from nearly 200,000 mothers, found that mental health declines occurred across all socioeconomic groups. However, mothers who were single, younger, less educated, or had publicly insured or uninsured children were significantly more…
Despite the long-standing belief that multiple sclerosis (MS) primarily affects white individuals, new research reveals that Black Americans have the highest incidence of the disease in the United States. The disparities don’t stop there—Black and Hispanic people with MS experience faster disability progression, earlier onset, and higher mortality in early and mid-adulthood compared to white patients.These differences are often misattributed to innate biological traits.However, researchers emphasize that race and ethnicity are social constructs shaped by systems of power, not biology. The study introduces the concept of “embodiment,” where lived experiences—particularly those shaped by structural racism—can influence biological outcomes.Downstream effects of…
A recent study published in BMC Infectious Diseases reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in tuberculosis (TB) incidence linked to specific components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) across the United States. The research analyzed data from 2000 to 2019, focusing on the impact of 15 PM2.5 constituents and their sources on TB rates among different racial and ethnic groups.Findings indicate that Hispanic populations experienced a notably higher incidence of TB associated with exposure to certain PM2.5 components. For instance, an interquartile range increase in sulfate levels corresponded to an additional 4.10 TB cases per 100,000 individuals annually among Hispanics, compared…
A new Washington state law is reshaping Spokane’s Board of Health to include multiple Native voices, a move driven by persistent health disparities among Indigenous communities. For three years, a seat intended for tribal representation remained vacant due to legal ambiguity. The updated legislation now mandates that local health boards include members appointed by tribes or urban Indian organizations recognized by the Indian Health Service.“This speaks to how representation matters,” said Rep. Natasha Hill, who sponsored the bill. “When we have folks representing directly from their community and having a say in the policy, it is always more effective.”The Spokane…
Native Americans in the Southwest experience a complex cancer landscape—lower overall rates than their white neighbors, yet disproportionately high risks for specific cancers. A CDC report analyzing data from 2017 to 2021 found that Southwest Native Americans had a 400% higher rate of gallbladder cancer and nearly double the rate of stomach cancer compared to non-Hispanic whites. Liver, kidney, and myeloma rates were also significantly elevated.Despite these disparities, Native Americans in the Southwest had a 23% lower overall cancer rate than whites in tribal or adjacent counties. Breast and lung cancer rates were notably lower among Native women. However, cervical…
In Miami’s Little Haiti, cancer screening rates lag behind national and county averages, revealing a troubling disparity in preventive care. A literature review by researchers at Florida International University highlights how socioeconomic, cultural, and systemic barriers contribute to lower adherence to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings in this predominantly Black and immigrant community. West Little River, used as a proxy for Little Haiti, shows cervical cancer screening rates at 77.3%—below the national average of 82.8%. Colorectal cancer screening is even lower at 66.8%. Language barriers, limited health literacy, and misconceptions about cancer contribute to these gaps. Haitian women, in…
A new study reveals that personal care products used daily by many Black and Latina women contain formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing chemical. Conducted by the Silent Spring Institute, the research found that 53% of participants used at least one product with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. The study, based in Los Angeles, tracked 70 women who documented their use of shampoos, lotions, body soaps, and even eyelash glue. Researchers discovered formaldehyde in 47% of skin care products and 58% of hair products reported. “We found that this isn’t just about hair straighteners,” said lead author Robin Dodson, ScD. “These chemicals are in products…