Asian Americans, often perceived as a model minority, face significant cardiovascular health disparities. Despite generally lower rates of heart disease compared to other racial groups, certain subgroups within the Asian American community experience higher risks. South Asians, for instance, have a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease, while Filipino Americans show elevated rates of hypertension. These disparities are influenced by a combination of genetic, cultural, and socioeconomic factors. South Asians are more likely to develop diabetes and have higher levels of LDL cholesterol, both of which are risk factors for heart disease. Cultural dietary habits, such as high consumption of…
Author: Disparity Matters
Recent findings presented at the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities reveal a concerning trend in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Black patients with TNBC are receiving immunotherapy at significantly lower rates compared to their white counterparts, highlighting ongoing racial disparities in cancer care. TNBC disproportionately affects Black women and is known for its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. The introduction of immunotherapy has offered new hope for TNBC patients, but access to this treatment appears to be uneven across racial lines. Jincong Q. Freeman, MPH, a PhD candidate at the University of Chicago, and…
A new study has revealed a concerning connection between neighborhood opportunity levels and the risk of preterm birth, shedding light on persistent racial and ethnic health disparities in Massachusetts. Researchers from Boston University School of Public Health and other institutions found that infants born in neighborhoods with fewer educational, health, environmental, and socioeconomic resources face a 16-percent higher risk of preterm birth. The study, which analyzed data from over 260,000 singleton births in Boston, Springfield, and Worcester metropolitan areas, utilized the Childhood Opportunity Index (COI) to assess neighborhood opportunity levels. This comprehensive measure includes 44 indicators across various social determinants of…
Raising awareness about kidney disease in Latino community, which is disproportionately affected
Studying factors contributing to oral health inequities and identify effective interventions.
Improving early detection and treatment of breast cancer by partnering with local organizations and healthcare providers
In a surprising twist, researchers have found that including race in colon cancer prediction algorithms may actually help reduce health disparities. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences challenges the growing trend of removing race from clinical algorithms, revealing that race-adjusted models can lead to more accurate cancer risk predictions for Black patients. The research team analyzed data from over 77,000 participants in the Southern Community Cohort. They discovered that Black participants were more likely to report unknown family histories of cancer, a crucial factor in predicting colorectal cancer risk. This data discrepancy resulted in…
A new study challenges the growing trend of removing race from medical algorithms, revealing that race-adjusted tools for predicting colorectal cancer risk may actually help reduce health disparities. Researchers from Cornell University, the University of Chicago, and the University of California, Berkeley, found that including race in these predictive models leads to more accurate risk assessments for Black patients. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed data from 77,836 diverse participants in the Southern Community Cohort. By developing two algorithms – one race-blind and one race-adjusted – the team compared their effectiveness in predicting colorectal…
In a bold move to combat maternal mortality, California has unveiled an ambitious plan to halve pregnancy-related deaths by the end of 2026. Despite already boasting the nation’s lowest maternal mortality rate, the state recognizes persistent racial disparities that demand urgent attention. The initiative, dubbed “Strong Start & Beyond,” was announced on September 17 by California Surgeon General Diana E. Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA. It aims to tackle a crisis where Black women face a threefold higher risk of dying from pregnancy-related complications compared to white women. “Although California has made significant progress on improving maternal health outcomes, we’re still losing too…
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has uncovered significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in how preventive care is billed and denied by insurance companies, potentially exacerbating existing health inequities in the United States. The research, led by a team of health economists, analyzed data from over 1.5 million patients and found that insurers deny preventive care claims for patients from marginalized communities at higher rates than for those from majority groups. This is despite the Affordable Care Act’s mandate that preventive services should be free for millions of Americans. According to the study, low-income patients were 43%…