Lola Fayanju focused on reducing racial disparities in breast-cancer outcomes and treatment delays among Black women
Author: Disparity Matters
A recent study has shed light on the stark disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) outcomes among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. The research, which analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute registry spanning two decades, reveals a complex interplay of factors contributing to these health inequalities.The study, encompassing 112,389 adults with HCC, found significant differences in disease outcomes across racial and ethnic groups. African American patients, in particular, faced considerable challenges throughout the HCC care continuum. Compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts, African American patients were less likely to be diagnosed with localized-stage HCC and had lower…
A recent study reveals significant disparities in the availability of racially concordant physicians within Medicare Advantage (MA) networks, potentially impacting the quality of preventive care for Black and Hispanic beneficiaries. The research, conducted using 2019 data, highlights a concerning trend in the representation of minority physicians in MA plans, which disproportionately enroll Black and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries.The study found that on average, 51.1 percent of White physicians in a beneficiary’s county were included in their MA network. In stark contrast, only 43.2 percent of Black physicians and 44.0 percent of Hispanic physicians were included. This disparity in network inclusion raises…
Gloria D. Coronado developed low-cost screening interventions to boost colorectal cancer detection in underserved Latino and rural populations
J. Nadine Gracia guided federal efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care for minority and underserved populations
A recent study sheds light on the stark healthcare disparities faced by African American men and women in the Illinois prison system. The research, which involved focus groups with 25 formerly incarcerated individuals, reveals a troubling pattern of inadequate and often punitive healthcare practices during incarceration.Participants reported a severe lack of access to appropriate healthcare while in prison. Many described a pervasive distrust in the prison healthcare system, citing experiences of substandard care and dismissive attitudes from healthcare professionals. One of the most alarming findings was the existence of excessive co-pays for what participants deemed as questionable and inadequate healthcare…
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medicine Association has shed light on the varying suicide rates among different Asian American youth subgroups, revealing significant disparities that were previously obscured by aggregated data. The research, led by Anthony Bui of the University of Washington and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, provides a more nuanced understanding of suicide risk within the Asian American community.The study’s findings challenge the common practice of grouping all Asian Americans into a single category when analyzing health data. By disaggregating the information, researchers uncovered that young Vietnamese Americans face the highest suicide rate…
A recent study published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities has uncovered significant disparities in the use of weight loss medications among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. The research, conducted by Dr. Kimberly D. Narain and Dr. Christopher Scannell from the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, reveals that Asian, Black, and Hispanic individuals are substantially less likely to use obesity management medications compared to their White counterparts.The study analyzed data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, focusing on individuals with obesity or overweight with weight-related conditions. The findings show a stark contrast in…
A recent analysis of FDA records reveals a concerning trend in pulse oximeter testing that disproportionately affects individuals with darker skin tones. Despite voluntary FDA guidance issued in 2013 to improve diversity reporting in device testing, progress has been slow and inadequate. The study, published in JAMA, found that only 12.5% of 767 FDA summary documents for pulse oximeters mentioned race, ethnicity, or skin tone in performance testing from 1996 to 2024. While there was an increase in reporting after the 2013 guidance—from 4.1% before to 25% after—the majority of documents still lack crucial information about testing across diverse populations.…
A recent study presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting has uncovered significant health disparities in multiple myeloma outcomes, linked to social determinants of health. The research, conducted by Catherine Forbes, PharmD, and colleagues at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, reveals that patients from more socioeconomically deprived areas face worse prognoses in their battle against this blood cancer. The study utilized the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a comprehensive measure encompassing factors such as employment, education, and housing conditions, to assess socioeconomic status. Patients with higher ADI scores, indicating greater deprivation, experienced poorer outcomes compared to those with lower…