Recent research has unveiled significant disparities in the recognition and treatment of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB) among young people, particularly affecting Black and Hispanic communities. A study involving over 2,700 youths revealed that those presenting with mental health crises often lacked appropriate diagnostic codes and chief concerns during emergency department visits, which can lead to critical gaps in care. The findings indicated that children and adolescents—especially preadolescents and male youths—are at a higher risk of being overlooked. For instance, the study showed that sensitivity in detecting SITB increased with age but remained alarmingly low for younger children, highlighting a…
Author: Disparity Matters
A new study from the University of Houston highlights the compounded health risks faced by Black Americans living with HIV who also smoke cigarettes. This research underscores the urgent need for targeted smoking cessation programs within this vulnerable population. The study reveals that individuals with HIV who smoke face significantly higher risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease compared to non-smokers with HIV. This risk is particularly pronounced in the Black community, where smoking rates among those with HIV are disproportionately high. Researchers found that stress and discrimination play crucial roles in perpetuating smoking habits among Black Americans living with HIV.…
A new study from the University of Houston highlights the compounded health risks faced by Black Americans living with HIV who also smoke cigarettes. This research underscores the urgent need for targeted smoking cessation programs within this vulnerable population. The study reveals that individuals with HIV who smoke face significantly higher risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease compared to non-smokers with HIV. This risk is particularly pronounced in the Black community, where smoking rates among those with HIV are disproportionately high. Researchers found that stress and discrimination play crucial roles in perpetuating smoking habits among Black Americans living with HIV.…
A new study from the University of Houston highlights the compounded health risks faced by Black Americans living with HIV who also smoke cigarettes. This research underscores the urgent need for targeted smoking cessation programs within this vulnerable population. The study reveals that individuals with HIV who smoke face significantly higher risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease compared to non-smokers with HIV. This risk is particularly pronounced in the Black community, where smoking rates among those with HIV are disproportionately high. Researchers found that stress and discrimination play crucial roles in perpetuating smoking habits among Black Americans living with HIV.…
A significant study by researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and their collaborators has uncovered an important genetic risk factor for kidney disease in people from Ghana and Nigeria. The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, reveals that nearly one-third of individuals in these West African nations carry variants of the APOL1 gene that increase their risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The study, conducted by the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Kidney Disease Research Network, involved over 8,000 participants from Ghana and Nigeria. It found that having just one risk variant in…
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health reveals that doula support substantially enhances maternal health outcomes for Medicaid enrollees. The research, conducted by Elevance Health, Inc., analyzed over one million pregnancies across nine U.S. states from 2014 to 2023. The findings show that women receiving doula care were 47% less likely to undergo cesarean deliveries. This reduction was even more pronounced in counties with high infant mortality rates, where C-section rates dropped by 57% for doula-supported pregnancies. Doulas, non-medical professionals who provide continuous support before, during, and after childbirth, were also associated with a 29% lower…
Louisiana, ranking 47th out of 48 states in maternal mortality rates, is taking innovative steps to address this critical issue by focusing on mental health. The state’s approach recognizes that mental health conditions, including deaths due to suicide and overdose, are the leading contributors to maternal mortality nationwide.In 2020, accidental overdose emerged as Louisiana’s primary cause of pregnancy-associated deaths. This alarming statistic is compounded by the fact that nearly 79% of Louisiana residents live in areas lacking adequate mental health services, significantly higher than the national average of 50%.To combat this crisis, Louisiana is implementing creative solutions. The Louisiana Mental…
Convening healthcare providers across Maryland to tackle health inequities, workforce diversity, culturally responsive care
Investing $210+ million in scientific research on health inequities and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in science and medicine
Investing $210+ million in scientific research on health inequities and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in science and medicine