Expanding services needed by individuals with cancer, particularly within low-income and marginalized communities
Author: Disparity Matters
Chicago’s lead problem continues to be a significant health concern for its residents, particularly those living on the predominantly Black South Side. The city faces a daunting task of replacing an estimated 400,000 lead service lines, the highest number in any U.S. city. This issue disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities, making it a pressing environmental justice concern. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given Chicago until 2047 to complete the replacement of all lead service lines, a timeline that has drawn criticism from environmental advocates. Chakena Perry, a senior policy advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council, expressed concern…
Recent studies reveal significant racial disparities in multiple sclerosis (MS) care, particularly affecting young Black and Hispanic women. Researchers from various institutions have uncovered troubling trends in disease progression, healthcare utilization, and pregnancy outcomes among minority patients with MS. A study published in the journal Neurology found that minority women with MS face greater challenges during pregnancy. Black and Hispanic women were more likely to have advanced disease at conception, with higher levels of inflammation indicating increased susceptibility to myelin loss and disease progression. These women also experienced socioeconomic disadvantages, including living in under-resourced neighborhoods and lacking private health insurance.…
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health reveals that natural disasters in the United States are having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing health disparities. The research, conducted by Ther W. Aung and Ashwini R. Sehgal from Case Western Reserve University, analyzed data from the Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey between December 2022 and September 2023. The study found that approximately 3.17 million adults, or 1.5% of the U.S. adult population, reported being displaced from their homes due to natural disasters in the past year. Notably, people of color, sexual and gender minority populations, and…
In the heart of South Carolina’s “Corridor of Shame,” a small brick clinic along the Thurgood Marshall Highway serves as a lifeline for Black Americans facing severe health disparities. Dr. Morris Brown, the clinic’s owner, rotates through patients every 20 minutes, treating a range of chronic ailments that disproportionately affect the area’s predominantly Black population. The clinic, located in Kingstree, a town of 3,200 people, exemplifies the stark health inequities prevalent across the Southeast. Despite being just 50 miles from coastal golf courses, this region suffers from acute healthcare provider shortages and high rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes,…
A new study published in The American Journal of Managed Care has shed new light on racial and ethnic disparities in cancer care prior authorization decisions. Contrary to expectations, the research found no significant differences in the prior authorization process for Black and Hispanic patients compared to White patients. The study, led by Dr. Benjamin Ukert of Elevance Health’s Public Policy Institute, analyzed data from 18,041 commercially insured patients diagnosed with cancer between 2017 and 2020. Researchers examined the time between diagnosis and prior authorization submission, as well as denial rates across different racial and ethnic groups. Surprisingly, Asian patients experienced more…
Daylight saving time (DST), a practice followed by approximately 70 countries, is coming under scrutiny for its detrimental effects on public health, particularly among vulnerable populations. A recent article in the BMJ highlights how this biannual clock change disproportionately impacts minority groups and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, exacerbating existing health disparities. The seasonal hour shift disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances and a host of health problems. Research indicates that DST is associated with increased rates of cancer, obesity, heart attacks, diabetes, and suicide. These health risks are not evenly distributed across society, with minoritized populations bearing a heavier…
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a concerning trend in breast cancer rates among Caribbean women. Researchers from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have found that shifting reproductive health patterns may be contributing to higher breast cancer risk in this population. The study, which examined 995 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer across seven Caribbean countries, uncovered significant changes across generations. Women born in more recent decades experienced their first menstrual cycles at earlier ages and had fewer children compared to previous generations. These factors are known to…
Studying social factors contributing to health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities and rural communities in southwest Arkansas
Bringing prenatal care directly into Detroit schools where infant mortality rates are significantly higher than national average