Health insurance coverage has improved across racial and ethnic groups over the past decade, yet deep disparities remain, according to new analysis from KFF. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and pandemic-era policies expanded coverage, Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander communities continue to face higher uninsured rates than white Americans.The report shows that as of 2023, nearly one in five Hispanic and American Indian or Alaska Native people under 65 were uninsured, at 17.9% and 18.7% respectively. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people had uninsured rates of 12.8%, while 9.7% of Black Americans lacked coverage. By…
Author: Disparity Matters
A recent study reveals alarming disparities in genetic testing access for children with neurological conditions, with Black children facing significantly higher barriers than their white counterparts. The research, published in the journal Neurology, sheds light on the complex interplay of factors contributing to this racial gap in pediatric healthcare.Examining records of over 11,000 children seen at pediatric neurology outpatient clinics, researchers found that while neurologists requested genetic tests at similar rates for both Black and white children, Black children were nearly half as likely to complete these crucial tests. This disparity persisted even after accounting for factors such as socioeconomic…
Black Americans face significant barriers in accessing life-saving kidney transplants, despite being disproportionately affected by end-stage kidney disease. Recent studies from Johns Hopkins University reveal a stark contrast in transplant rates and outcomes, highlighting deep-rooted inequities in the U.S. healthcare system.Black individuals experience nearly four times higher rates of end-stage kidney disease compared to their White counterparts. However, their likelihood of receiving a live-donor kidney transplant is more than four times lower. This disparity persists despite evidence that transplants are both cost-effective and life-extending compared to long-term dialysis.Researchers have identified several factors contributing to this gap. Residential segregation emerges as…
A new study by the American Cancer Society (ACS) has revealed that smoking menthol cigarettes poses a higher mortality risk compared to non-menthol cigarettes. The research, published in the journal Tobacco Control, highlights the urgent need for regulation of menthol cigarettes to address health disparities among different racial and ethnic groups in the United States.The nationwide study, which followed nearly a million participants over six years, found that individuals who smoked menthol cigarettes had an increased risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart conditions. This elevated risk was especially pronounced among those who had quit smoking…
Decades after its official ban, redlining continues to cast a long shadow over public health in the United States, with minority communities bearing the brunt of its lingering effects. Recent studies have unveiled stark disparities in health outcomes between historically redlined neighborhoods and their more privileged counterparts.A recent study revealed that children with cancer from formerly redlined areas face a significantly lower five-year survival rate compared to those from non-redlined neighborhoods. This alarming trend extends to other health issues, including HIV treatment. In Philadelphia, residents of previously redlined areas take an average of six months to achieve viral suppression after…
A recent survey commissioned by the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention (AWHP) reveals alarming disparities in preventive care access among women in the United States. The study, which polled 3,199 women over 18, found that 42% of women either cannot or do not access key health services, with minority women facing even greater challenges.Affordability emerges as a significant barrier, with 22% of women citing out-of-pocket costs as a reason for skipping preventive screenings. Competing priorities such as work, school, or childcare also play a role, affecting 19% of respondents. Perhaps most concerning is the lack of urgency, with 29%…
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in counseling for children with high blood pressure. The research, conducted by Dr. Moonseong Heo and colleagues from Clemson University, analyzed data from 2,677 participants across 59 pediatric primary care practices.The study found that while pediatric neurologists requested genetic tests at similar rates for both Black and white children, Black children were nearly half as likely to complete these crucial tests. This disparity persisted even after accounting for factors such as socioeconomic status and urban or rural residence.Overall, 63.5% of children received nutrition counseling, 57.6% lifestyle…
A recent study highlights significant health disparities among Hispanic kidney transplant recipients in the United States, emphasizing the critical role of insurance type in post-transplant outcomes. Researchers analyzed data from the OPTN/UNOS database, focusing on Hispanic patients who received kidney transplants between 2015 and 2019. The study found that 74% of these patients had public insurance, which was associated with poorer outcomes compared to those with non-public insurance.Patients with public insurance were generally older, had longer dialysis durations, and were more likely to have comorbid conditions such as diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. These factors contributed to an increased risk…
A recent study reveals troubling disparities in the treatment of cardiac arrest among Asian Americans, highlighting significant gaps in emergency care. The research, published in AsAmNews, indicates that Asian Americans are less likely to receive bystander CPR and timely defibrillation compared to other racial groups. This disparity contributes to lower survival rates and poorer outcomes for Asian American cardiac arrest victims.The study analyzed data from multiple hospitals across the United States, focusing on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases. It found that cultural barriers, language differences, and a lack of targeted public health education contribute to the lower rates of bystander intervention…
Chandra Jackson researched how social and environmental factors drive racial disparities in sleep and metabolic health