A new study reveals alarming trends in dementia-related deaths in the United States, with Black adults and women disproportionately impacted. The research, published in The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, analyzed mortality data from 1999 to 2020 and found a significant increase in dementia-related deaths during this period. The study, led by Mohsan Ali, MBBS, from Kig Edward Medical University in Pakistan, identified 6,601,680 dementia-related deaths over the 21-year period. Women accounted for 66.3% of these deaths, while 85.5% were among non-Hispanic white individuals. The overall age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) was 17.49 per 10,000 individuals, with women experiencing a higher…
Author: Disparity Matters
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a series of updates aimed at enhancing patient rights, improving coverage transitions, and addressing health disparities in the United States. These initiatives reflect CMS’s commitment to ensuring equitable healthcare access for all Americans, particularly those from underserved communities. A significant development is the release of an updated Health Equity Disparities Impact Statement. This tool is designed to help healthcare stakeholders identify and address health disparities, with a focus on underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency. This update aligns with CMS’s broader…
A new study reveals stark disparities in hypertension prevalence and treatment rates between advantaged and disadvantaged neighborhoods, with Black communities facing the highest burden. Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic examined data from over 56,000 middle-aged adults across 1,157 neighborhoods in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, show that areas with high socioeconomic disadvantage had nearly double the rate of hypertension compared to more affluent neighborhoods – 50.7% versus 25.5%. Treatment rates were also lower in disadvantaged areas. The impact was particularly pronounced in predominantly Black neighborhoods. A staggering 63% of these communities had both high hypertension rates (over…
Addressing high blood pressure disparities in Black men aged 35-64
Targeting cardiovascular health disparities in Pittsburgh with Its “Every Heart Matters” program
Addressing high rates of childhood obesity among U.S.-born children of Latino immigrant parents
A new study by researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center reveals that some lung cancer disparities among racial and ethnic groups are less pronounced in South Florida compared to the rest of the state. The research, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, examined non-small cell lung cancer staging across all patients in Florida, with a particular focus on Hispanic subpopulations. The study found that while Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black patients tend to be diagnosed with lung cancer at later stages than White patients in most of Florida, this disadvantage disappears for Hispanic patients living in South Florida. The…
A new study suggests that offering free eye care services in primary care clinics serving low-income areas may help detect and address eye diseases among underserved populations. The Michigan Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and Eye Health Through Telemedicine (MI-SIGHT) Program found high rates of previously undiagnosed eye conditions among participants who had not had an eye exam in two or more years. The study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, screened 1,171 adults in two low-income Michigan communities. Results showed 21% screened positive for glaucoma, 20% for cataracts, and 6% for diabetic retinopathy. Notably, the research highlighted significant racial disparities in eye care…
A new study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reveals significant disparities in Americans’ exposure to tobacco content on streaming platforms. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, found that race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status play a role in who encounters tobacco promotion on these services.The nationally representative survey showed that an estimated 12.4% of American adults were exposed to tobacco promotion on streaming platforms. However, exposure rates were markedly higher among certain groups. Black/African American respondents had the highest exposure rate at 19.4%, followed by Hispanic respondents at 16.4%. Those with lower education levels and income…
Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory often overlooked in national discourse, faces significant health disparities exacerbated by federal policies that treat it differently from the 50 states. Recent research highlights how these disparities have been amplified by a series of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster response in Puerto Rico has been notably unequal. Following Hurricane Maria in 2017, the territory received significantly less aid compared to Texas and Florida, which were also hit by major hurricanes that year. A subsequent investigation revealed FEMA mismanaged about $257 million in Puerto Rico’s relief funds. Healthcare in Puerto…