A new study reveals that false-positive mammogram results may be exacerbating health disparities among different racial and ethnic groups in breast cancer screening. The research, led by the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, found that women who received false-positive results requiring additional imaging or biopsies were less likely to return for follow-up screenings. The impact of these false-positive results was particularly pronounced among Asian and Hispanic/Latinx women, who were the least likely to return for future mammograms after such an experience. This finding raises concerns about the potential widening of existing health disparities in breast cancer detection and treatment. Diana Miglioretti, lead…
Author: Disparity Matters
Native American communities, already burdened with some of the worst health disparities in the U.S., continue to face major setbacks due to limited access to vital health data. Tribal public health officials report that state and federal agencies restrict data-sharing, leaving them “blinded” in their efforts to combat serious health crises, including infectious disease outbreaks and substance misuse. Meghan Curry O’Connell, chief public health officer for the Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board, emphasized that without timely data, the region’s response to a devastating syphilis outbreak has been hampered. “We’re being blinded,” she said, referring to the ongoing challenges in accessing…
A new global study reveals that inequality accelerates brain aging, potentially exacerbating health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. The research, involving 5,306 participants from 15 countries, utilized advanced brain imaging techniques to measure brain age gaps – the difference between a brain’s biological age and a person’s chronological age. Dr. Daniel Abasolo, co-author of the study and Head of the Centre for Biomedical Engineering at the University of Surrey, explained, “Our research shows that in countries where inequality is higher, people’s brains tend to age faster, especially in areas of the brain most affected by aging.…
A new book titled “Eggonomics” by Diane M. Tober exposes significant racial disparities in egg donation payments in the United States. The author’s research, based on a study of over 900 egg donors, reveals that White women can receive up to eight times more compensation for their eggs compared to Black women. The top rate for White donors was found to be around $100,000, while Black donors received a maximum of only $12,000. Tober’s work highlights how donor profiles are used as marketing tools to attract intended parents, with women possessing desired social and physical traits selling faster and to a…
A new study reveals that women with darker skin tones are significantly more likely to avoid seeking birth control due to concerns about discrimination, highlighting persistent racial disparities in reproductive healthcare access. Researchers surveyed 1,299 women aged 18-44 in Harris County, Texas about their experiences with discrimination in reproductive health settings. The study found that compared to women with the lightest skin tones, those with darker skin were up to 7.6 times more likely to avoid seeking birth control because of discrimination concerns. This association remained significant even after adjusting for race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors. “This provides further evidence that structural…
A new study led by UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has found that women who receive false-positive mammogram results are less likely to return for future breast cancer screenings. The research, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, analyzed over 3.5 million screening mammograms from 2005-2017 involving more than 1 million women aged 40-73. While 77% of women with negative mammogram results returned for subsequent screenings, only 61% returned after a false-positive requiring follow-up imaging, and 67% after a false-positive recommending a biopsy. The effect was even more pronounced for women with consecutive false-positives, with just 56% returning for their next…
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association highlights how various social and structural factors contribute to cardiovascular health disparities among Asian American subgroups. The statement, published in the journal Circulation, identifies immigration status, socioeconomic position, and access to healthcare as key determinants affecting heart health in these communities. Asian Americans, the fastest-growing racial group in the United States, are projected to reach approximately 46 million by 2060. Despite this growth, they remain underrepresented in medical research. This underrepresentation often leads to the aggregation of diverse Asian ethnic groups into a single category, masking significant health differences among subgroups.…
Recent data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reveals a stark disparity in the ongoing overdose crisis, with older Black men bearing a disproportionate burden. Between 2015 and 2023, overdose deaths among non-Hispanic Black men aged 55 and older increased nearly five-fold, reaching a rate nearly triple the national average for that age group in 2023. The surge in fatalities primarily involves fentanyl and cocaine, reflecting a broader trend of the dangerous illicit drug supply disproportionately affecting this population. This alarming increase highlights the intersection of longstanding patterns of economic disadvantage, mental health impacts of adversity, and the devastating…
Supporting community-based groups that provide essential health services to underserved populations
Two U.S. Congresswomen are calling on the FDA to expedite its proposed ban on hair straighteners containing formaldehyde, a chemical linked to higher cancer rates. Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Shontel Brown, alongside Rep. Nydia Velazquez, have expressed concern over the agency’s repeated delays in finalizing this crucial regulation, originally slated for April 2023, then pushed to July, and now September. The lawmakers are particularly focused on how these delays impact health disparities affecting Black women and other women of color. Pressley emphasized that many Black women resort to these straightening treatments due to hair discrimination in professional environments. She stated, “If…