Research on ethnicity, identity, and health. Covers code-switching, traditional health practices, immigration and disease, and patient communication.
A recent study found that COVID-19 mortality disparities widened between the initial and Omicron waves, particularly among non-Hispanic white adults. The authors suggest continued prioritization of racial health equity in pandemic response efforts to address these persistent disparities.
The American Heart Association scientific statement rates how closely popular dietary patterns align with its guidance for heart-healthy eating. The statement evaluates 10 categories of diets, scoring them from 31 to 100 based on their alignment with the guidance, with some diets receiving high scores while others need improvement.
According to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hispanics with disabilities have recovered to historic levels in the labor force, surpassing non-Hispanic black/African Americans. However, a gap between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white civilians remains due to social determinants of health and language barriers.
The Hastings Center's new report provides direction for research and communications in social and behavioral genomics, highlighting both potential benefits and significant risks. The report recommends engaging with stakeholders, justifying population definitions and phenotype measurement, and conducting studies with adequate power.
A nationally representative sample of community-dwelling adults found that stroke prevalence remained stable overall, but increased among men. The study's estimates underestimate the total burden due to institutional settings not included in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.
The study reveals COVID-19 worsened existing inequities in food security and rental struggles based on race and ethnicity and maternal origins. Equity-focused policy changes are necessary to ensure all US children and families can afford basic needs for optimal health.
A study of 415,000 US female breast cancer deaths from 2011 to 2020 found that Black women should start screening earlier than previously recommended. Health policy makers and clinicians may consider an alternative approach with race- and ethnicity-adapted age recommendations for breast cancer screening.
A study of 20,311 US adults aged 51–100 years found that higher educational attainment protected against cognitive decline differently for Black and Latinx adults compared to White adults. Higher-educated White adults received the greatest protection, while Latinx adults experienced a later onset of cognitive decline.
A study by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers reveals that cadmium-induced inflammation increases the severity and mortality of lung infections. The findings suggest that targeting the regulation of PPAR-gamma in macrophages may protect against severe pneumonia.
Researchers developed a machine learning model that predicts strokes more accurately than current systems, using data available at hospital arrival. The model achieved high precision and sensitivity, outperforming existing scales.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that minority ethnic groups are less successful in applying to specialty training programmes in the NHS. Female applicants had a higher success rate overall, but certain specialities tend to appeal more to one gender or the other.
A study published in Cancer Research Communications found that vitamin D receptor genetic differences in African American men may make them more vulnerable to prostate cancer. The researchers suggest that revised nutritional guidelines for vitamin D intake may be necessary to address these disparities.
A new study analyzing European job applications found that having a non-white phenotype reduces the likelihood of employment by approximately 20%, while dark-skinned Caucasians face a 10% decrease compared to white applicants. The combined effect of ethnicity and phenotype leads to significant discrimination levels across Europe.
American Indian, Black, and Hispanic students reported lower parental education levels, financial barriers, and discouragement from pre-health advisers compared to white students. These disparities may deter underrepresented groups from pursuing a career in medicine.
A study of 1,618 US counties found that greater representation of Black primary care physicians is associated with improved survival-related outcomes for Black individuals. The findings suggest investments to build a more representative PCP workforce nationally may improve population health and reduce disparities.
A new study found that Mexican American people who spoke only Spanish had worse neurologic outcomes three months after a stroke compared to those who spoke English or were bilingual. The study involved 1,096 participants and controlled for factors such as education and blood pressure.
Medical University of South Carolina researchers streamlined kidney transplant evaluations to increase access for African Americans. They used telehealth and partnerships with local providers to help patients complete the evaluation process, resulting in higher numbers of African Americans beginning and completing the evaluation.
The new American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes the importance of including non-biological factors and social determinants in CVD risk assessment for women. These factors include economic stability, neighborhood safety, education level, and access to quality healthcare, which disproportionately affect women from dive...
A Rutgers study found that nearly one in five LGBTQ people experienced an increase in intimate partner violence after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Those living in the southern US were more likely to report this increase, with intimate partner violence also linked to greater depressive symptoms.
Research from Amsterdam UMC reveals that all prominent migrant groups are suffering more from long-covid than the native Dutch population, with rates ranging from 26-50% higher. The study highlights the need for awareness and accessible healthcare services in ethnic minority and migrant communities.
A recent study by SMU anthropologist Neely Myers found that ethnoracially minoritized youth are less likely to utilize early intervention programs and more likely to drop out once they begin. Culturally sensitive care can help, but family culture and language play a significant role in healthcare disparities.
A new study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee found that diversifying US police departments has no significant impact on clearing aggravated assaults against minorities. The study analyzed data from over 350 agencies and nearly 44,000 incidents, but found no association between diversity measures and clearance rates.
A study published in Neurology found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian people with Parkinson’s disease have a lower health-related quality of life compared to white people. The researchers evaluated quality of life using a questionnaire and adjusted for factors such as age, sex, and disease duration.
Research reveals that requiring a physician letter of recommendation acts as a barrier to admission, particularly for applicants from racial and ethnic groups. The study found that such schools had fewer applications and matriculants from all races and ethnicities, with significant underrepresentation of minority groups.
A UCLA study found that individuals who support the Black Lives Matter movement tend to be less hesitant about receiving COVID-19 vaccines. The researchers suggest that altruistic feelings about interactions between different social groups may account for this phenomenon.
Research in England finds higher COVID-19 case rates among Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Muslims, Sikhs, and those disadvantaged in wave 2. In contrast, White British, Christians, healthy individuals, and relatively affluent people had higher rates in wave 3.
A study found racial and ethnic differences in insurance coverage after job loss during COVID-19. Newly unemployed Black and Hispanic adults saw no increase in Medicaid coverage, unlike their white peers.
A study reveals racial and ethnic disparities in smoking initiation among young adults with different education levels. Black young adults tend to have lower smoking prevalence and older age of smoking initiation than white counterparts.
A new study led by UCL researchers found evidence of ancient empires' impact on migration in Africa, revealing genetic traces from across the continent. The study used DNA data from over 1,300 individuals from 150 ethnic groups, identifying migrations linked to empires like Kanem-Bornu and Aksum.
A study of 32 Black patients with type 2 diabetes found that humanistic communication, family involvement, and clear medical information are crucial for effective shared decision making. The research team offers recommendations to improve SDM in safety-net primary care settings.
Researchers have identified properties like curl shape, coils, and cuticle layers that can help distinguish between curly, kinky, wavy, and straight hair. These findings aim to provide a more precise and quantitative classification system for haircare products.
A new study suggests that age, not weight, should be used to screen for diabetes, capturing the greatest number of people in all racial and ethnic groups. The approach identifies the greatest proportion of adults with prediabetes and diabetes and maximizes equity across racial and ethnic groups.
The latest CDC report highlights changing demographics of autism and its impact on early detection. In California, 2.8% of 8-year-old children have been identified with ASD, while the median age of first diagnosis is just over 4 years.
UConn researchers have developed simple measurements and equations that better predict fat distribution in individuals based on their sex and ethnicity. The tools account for differences in body composition between ethnic populations and women and men, providing a more accurate assessment of obesity-related health risks.
The study found that statin use for primary prevention was low among all racial and ethnic groups, despite varying levels of 10-year ASCVD risk. Improving access to care may help increase equitable use of primary prevention statins in Black and Hispanic adults.
A study of 608,000 obstetric discharges found postpartum emergency department visits were more common among Black and Hispanic patients at safety net hospitals. These disparities support the need to address structural racism in maternal health care.
A team of NYU Abu Dhabi researchers analyzed 1 million papers to reveal disparities in editorial boards, review times, and citation rates for non-white scientists. Non-white editors are underrepresented, with Black researchers facing the longest review times and lowest citation rates.
A recent review article highlights the significant impact of cancer on Hispanic patients and their caregivers, citing communication barriers, financial difficulties, and sociocultural issues. The study estimates 126,000 new cancer cases diagnosed yearly in Hispanics, placing a substantial burden on family members and friends.
Researchers found that federal-local immigration enforcement policies significantly increase violent victimization risk among Latinos, contradicting their purpose of enhancing public safety. The study analyzed NCVS data from 2005-2014 and confirmed individual-level factors as major sources of variation in violent victimizations.
African American cancer survivors who experienced high levels of discrimination showed greater signs of aging and frailty than those with lower levels. The study found that major discrimination increased rates of aging, leading to a greater risk of frailty.
A new national US study suggests that young children who are taught by a teacher of the same ethnicity as themselves develop better learning and problem-solving skills by the age of seven. The effect was most pronounced in Black and Latinx children, with improved working memory and reading achievement scores.
A national US study found trust in government cancer information plummeted by 53% among non-Hispanic Black people during the pandemic. Meanwhile, trust in doctors remained high, highlighting the need for effective communication and access to healthcare services.
A recent study found that people with disabilities experienced increased household employment loss and financial hardship during the initial COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest a disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minority respondents, highlighting the need for targeted policies and resources to address these issues.
A study found that facility-level disparities in the US are associated with poorer prostate cancer treatment and outcomes for racial minorities. Non-Hispanic black men treated at high-burden safety-net hospitals had the worst outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted initiatives to address these disparities.
A new study found that Black patients with pulmonary fibrosis are significantly younger than their Hispanic and white counterparts, experiencing accelerated disease progression. Lifestyle and socioeconomic factors linked to environmental exposures may contribute to these disparities.
A study of nearly 24,000 individuals reveals insurance status as a modifiable risk factor for racial and ethnic inequities in advanced cervical cancer diagnosis. Expanding access to care may mitigate these inequities.
A recent study published in JNCCN found that the lack of genomic research for people with African ancestry is hindering efforts to reduce disparities in prostate cancer outcomes. The researchers evaluated molecular genetic results for 113 Black South African men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, identifying 17 pathogenic and pot...
A UK study found that Black Caribbean-British women are 58% more likely than white women to receive general anaesthesia during elective caesarean births, while Bangladeshi-British and Pakistani-British women are less likely to have epidurals. The study also reveals differences in assisted deliveries and emergency caesarean births betwe...
Researchers found that clinicians ordered more frequent newborn drug tests for Black newborns after recreational cannabis legalization, highlighting concerns about structural racism and disproportionate testing. The study calls for further exploration of how institutional racism affects healthcare outcomes for Black families.
Child firearm assaults surged in major US cities during the COVID-19 pandemic, with racial disparities worsening. Hispanic, Asian, and especially Black children bore a disproportionate share of the increased violence.
A recent landmark study found that women of color experience invisibility in traditionally white and male professions, with four distinct forms of invisibility identified. The study also reveals how different social power levels influence responses to invisibility, ranging from withdrawal to approach or pragmatic tactics.
Research suggests that females are more prone to salt sensitivity, leading to higher blood pressure, particularly after menopause. Salt sensitivity affects about half of hypertension cases and is often linked to treatment-resistant hypertension.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that ethnic minority parents in Inner Mongolia prefer evidence-based knowledge on family education tailored to their local environment and culture. They sought information on how geographical features like the geomagnetic field influence children's growth and well-being.
A study of nearly 13,000 young US adults found rising diabetes and obesity rates, while hypertension remained stable. The data reveal a high burden of cardiovascular risk factors among this demographic, with Black, Hispanic, and Mexican American individuals disproportionately affected.
A study found a significant association between heating complaints and structural fires in NYC, with varying rates across community districts. The results highlighted inequities in safe heating, particularly among Black and Latinx communities.
Researchers found that Black men have a higher mortality rate after surgery compared to other groups, with a 50% higher risk of death after elective procedures. The study suggests that structural racism, poor pre-operative care, and exposure to toxins may contribute to these disparities.
A Florida Atlantic University study reveals that while private automobiles remain dominant, the share of car trips has decreased since its peak in 2001. In contrast, transit, non-motorized, and taxicab trips have increased. Lower-income groups rely heavily on public transportation due to limited mobility options.
A growing gap in NIH funding created an elite class of super principal investigators with persistent gaps in gender, ethnicity, and race. Researchers highlighted the critical need for reform to promote equity among NIH investigators.
The Massachusetts comprehensive menthol flavor ban in 2020 led to a greater reduction in current cigarette smoking, especially among males and Hispanic females. However, an increase was observed among Black females, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this trend.
A new study found that Black women of childbearing age are twice as likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure as their white peers, increasing their risk of heart-related complications during pregnancy. Food insecurity was also a significant issue among Black and Hispanic women, with one in four experiencing food insecurity.