A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals significant disparities in cardiometabolic health among American Indian adults. Researchers utilized polygenic scores (PGS) to assess the risk of various cardiometabolic factors, including diabetes, lipid levels, and inflammation. The study involved 1,157 participants from the Strong Heart Study, a long-term investigation into cardiovascular disease among American Indians. The findings indicate that American Indian adults have higher polygenic risk scores for several cardiometabolic traits compared to other populations. This elevated genetic risk is compounded by socioeconomic factors, such as limited access to healthcare and higher rates of poverty, which exacerbate health disparities.…
Author: Disparity Matters
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals stark racial disparities in the quality of hospitals where Black and American Indian birthing individuals deliver. The research highlights that these groups are more likely to give birth in lower-quality hospitals compared to their White counterparts, underscoring systemic healthcare inequities.The study analyzed maternal hospital records from California, Oregon, Michigan, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania, encompassing over 6.4 million birthing individuals. It found that Black and American Indian patients often delivered at hospitals with fewer resources and lower levels of obstetric care. This disparity is linked to higher rates of maternal mortality and…
Black children are significantly more likely than their White peers to be restrained during behavioral emergencies in hospitals, according to a new study that raises serious concerns about racial bias in pediatric care.Published in Hospital Pediatrics, the study examined data from a large academic children’s hospital and found that Black patients had higher odds of being physically restrained, even when accounting for age, sex, and diagnosis. Researchers evaluated Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) alerts over a nearly four-year period and discovered that Black children represented a disproportionate share of these high-stress incidents.While BERT alerts are meant to ensure safety when…
A recent study reveals a significant disparity in breast cancer screening rates among women Medicaid beneficiaries experiencing housing insecurity. The research, conducted in Pennsylvania, sheds light on the complex relationship between housing status and preventive healthcare utilization.The study examined 73,456 women Medicaid beneficiaries aged 50-64 years, comparing those with a history of housing-related services to those without such encounters. The findings are stark: women who received housing-related services had a mammography rate of 44.8%, compared to 50.1% among those who did not, representing a 5.3 percentage point gap.This disparity was even more pronounced among those experiencing chronic homelessness, with a…
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology reveals significant disparities in lung cancer screening adherence among different racial and ethnic groups. The research highlights that Black and Hispanic individuals are less likely to adhere to lung cancer screening guidelines compared to their White counterparts. This disparity is concerning, given the higher incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer in minority communities.The study analyzed data from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) and found that socioeconomic factors, including income and education level, play a crucial role in screening adherence. Black and Hispanic participants were more likely to face barriers such as…
Racism emerges as a significant factor contributing to Ohio’s alarmingly high maternal and infant mortality rates, particularly among Black women and infants. A comprehensive study conducted by the Ohio Department of Health reveals stark disparities in healthcare outcomes, with Black mothers and babies facing disproportionately higher risks.The report highlights that Black women in Ohio are more than two times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to their white counterparts. This disparity persists regardless of education level or socioeconomic status, pointing to systemic racism as a root cause.Infant mortality rates paint an equally grim picture. Black infants in Ohio…
A common blood test for ovarian cancer, known as CA-125, may miss some Black and Native American patients, delaying their treatment. This finding, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights the ongoing issue of medical tests contributing to healthcare disparities.Researchers analyzed data from over 200,000 women with ovarian cancer and found that Black and Native American patients were 23% less likely to have elevated CA-125 levels at diagnosis compared to white patients.Dr. Anna Jo Smith of the University of Pennsylvania’s medical school, the study’s lead author, emphasized that the test’s performance varies across different racial groups. This discrepancy may be due…
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology reveals significant disparities in lung cancer screening adherence among different racial and ethnic groups. The research highlights that Black and Hispanic individuals are less likely to adhere to lung cancer screening guidelines compared to their White counterparts. This disparity is concerning, given the higher incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer in minority communities.The study analyzed data from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) and found that socioeconomic factors, including income and education level, play a crucial role in screening adherence. Black and Hispanic participants were more likely to face barriers such as…
Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a significant cause of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality, with disparities in management and outcomes affecting various demographic groups. The American Heart Association’s scientific statement reveals that Black and Hispanic individuals, reproductive-age women, and transgender people taking estrogen hormones face higher incidences of PE. These disparities are compounded by socioeconomic factors, which correlate with poorer outcomes, including recurrent PE, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and increased mortality rates.Race, ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status influence the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of PE. For example, Black and Hispanic patients often experience delays in diagnosis and treatment, leading to worse…
Racial and ethnic disparities persist in the use of restraints and sedation by emergency medical services (EMS) for patients with behavioral health emergencies. A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that Hispanic and Black patients are more likely to be physically restrained or chemically sedated compared to their White counterparts. Specifically, 10.6% of Hispanic patients and 7.9% of Black patients experienced restraint or sedation, while only 6.1% of White patients faced similar measures.Dr. Diana M. Bongiorno of Harvard Medical School, the study’s lead author, emphasizes that these disparities reflect broader systemic issues within emergency care. The study analyzed data…