A recent report highlights a growing crisis in American healthcare: a surge in diabetes-related amputations, with Black and Latino communities bearing the brunt of this alarming trend. According to studies cited, Black and Latino diabetics are four times more likely to require amputations than their white counterparts, revealing a stark disparity in health outcomes. Dr. Dean Schillinger, founder of the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations, describes the situation as “a perfect storm of poor health and lack of medical guidance.” The crisis is particularly acute in areas like San Antonio, Texas, where a combination of genetics, poor healthcare access, unhealthy diets,…
Author: Disparity Matters
A recent study by University of Hawai’i at Manoa researchers has uncovered significant health disparities affecting Native Hawaiians. The research, published in the Journal of American Medical Association, found that Native Hawaiians age faster than White and Japanese populations, likely due to underlying health conditions and socioeconomic factors. Lead author Alika Maunakea and his team analyzed blood samples from 376 participants to measure biological aging, which is determined by examining blood cells rather than chronological age. The results showed that Native Hawaiians have a 25% higher rate of biological aging compared to Whites, translating to approximately an eight-year difference in longevity. The…
A new study has uncovered significant racial and ethnic differences in fracture risk among postmenopausal women in the United States. The research, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, analyzed data from over 160,000 women in the Women’s Health Initiative over nearly 20 years. White women were found to have the highest overall fracture rates. However, other groups were not far behind. Black, Pacific Islander, Asian, and multiracial women had lower risks of clinical fractures compared to white women. The study also revealed differences within racial groups. For example, among Asian women, those of Indian descent had fracture rates…
A combination of factors has led to Black communities paying more for groceries and having less access to nutritious food compared to white neighborhoods. Decades of supermarket redlining, disinvestment, and racially-driven urban planning have put Black consumers in a tighter financial squeeze at grocery stores. Experts say Black households, on average, pay disproportionately higher prices than whites at the checkout line. They also have fewer options for bargain-hunting in food deserts and less access to fresh, nutritious food. This situation, coupled with high post-pandemic inflation and continued price spikes by food producers, puts Black households at greater risk of food insecurity. According…
A new research effort called the Black Women Inflammation and Tau Study (B-WITS) aims to investigate why Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects Black women. The study focuses on understanding the unique factors that contribute to increased Alzheimer’s risk in this population. B-WITS examines the relationship between inflammation, tau proteins, and cognitive decline specifically in Black women. Researchers hope to identify potential targets for prevention and treatment by studying these connections. The study is recruiting 100 Black women aged 65 and older in San Diego and Los Angeles who may be at risk for Alzheimer’s due to factors like memory complaints or family…
A new study reveals significant racial and gender disparities in survival rates following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for heart attacks outside of hospitals. The research, published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, found that Black individuals and women have lower odds of surviving after receiving bystander CPR compared to white men. Lead study author Dr. Paul Chan of Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute reported that white people were three times more liely to survive CPR after a heart attack than Black people. Additionally, men of any race had twice the survival odds of women. The study showed white men who received…
Recent research highlights alarming trends in dementia-related mortality across the United States, particularly emphasizing disparities among racial and ethnic groups. The study illustrates that dementia mortality rates have surged, especially in minority populations, presenting a significant public health challenge. Data from 1999 to 2020 shows that the burden of Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) is disproportionately affecting these groups, particularly in nonmetropolitan areas, where the increase has been substantial compared to metropolitan counterparts. The findings urge immediate attention, as they offer a stark reminder of the socio-economic factors that contribute to this crisis. Increases in ADRD mortality reflect not only…
Racial disparities in Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and treatment are hindering access to crucial care for Black patients. Exercise programs, considered vital for managing Parkinson’s symptoms, struggle to recruit Black participants despite efforts to increase diversity. David Leventhal, program director for Dance for PD in New York City, likens the lack of engagement to “withholding medication,” emphasizing the critical role of movement in Parkinson’s treatment. Recent studies have shown that exercise can alleviate symptoms and even promote the health of dopamine-producing neurons affected by the disease. However, many Black individuals remain undiagnosed due to various factors, including doctor bias. Bernard Coley, a Parkinson’s…
A new study published in Circulation suggests that adopting American dietary habits may increase heart disease risk for Hispanic and Latino individuals living in the United States. The research, which followed over 14,000 participants of Hispanic and Latino heritage for 15 years, found that greater dietary acculturation – the adoption of dominant cultural eating patterns – was associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease and related events. This is particularly concerning given that Hispanic and Latino people, who make up 19% of the U.S. population, already face disproportionately higher rates of cardiovascular disease compared to national averages. “The findings show that adopting different…
Boosting historically Black medical schools with $600 million gift