Research on ethnicity, identity, and health. Covers code-switching, traditional health practices, immigration and disease, and patient communication.
Incoming college students who already feel a connection to their institution are more likely to fit in and want to remain at the school. Ethnic minority students were less likely to feel a connection during orientation but had a stronger link to feelings of fitting in if they did.
Researchers found that people are significantly better than chance at matching names to faces, and this effect may be due to cultural stereotypes associated with names. The study used computer algorithms to also achieve high accuracy in matching names to faces.
A large multiethnic study found that being underweight increases early death risk among postmenopausal women. Higher waist circumference, but not excess weight, is associated with premature mortality, highlighting the dangers of abdominal fat.
A University of Missouri-Columbia professor developed a mandatory medical school curriculum focusing on indigenous health, addressing significant health inequalities among Native Americans. The curriculum was implemented in 2014 and has been recognized as a model for other universities to follow.
A study by Northwestern University found that delinquent youth are more likely to have multiple sexual partners and engage in unprotected vaginal sex with high-risk partners as they age. This risk is particularly pronounced among African American males, who are over four times more likely to have multiple partners.
A University at Buffalo-led study of 200 metropolitan areas over 40 years found that immigration is not linked to increased crime rates. In fact, robberies, burglaries, larceny, and murder rates are lower in places with higher immigration levels.
The University of Oklahoma has received a four-year grant to increase cultural diversity and grow the representation of Native Americans in curatorial and academic positions. The program will include paid internships, pre-doctoral fellowships, and a teaching assistantship for graduate students.
Hispanic immigrant and African American men face the highest average workplace injury rate, with Hispanic immigrant men having a rate of 13.7 per 1,000 workers. The study highlights disparities in economic opportunities for minorities leading to hazardous job assignments that increase their risk of injury and disability.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that middle school students of color who lose trust in their teachers due to perceptions of mistreatment from school authorities are less likely to attend college. The researchers also found that racial disparities in discipline contribute to this mistrust, with African America...
Longitudinal studies found that minority youth experienced biased treatment and lost trust in middle school, predicting behavioral issues and lower college attendance rates. A randomized experiment showed that surprise displays of respect from teachers can create trust and improve outcomes for minority students.
The project aims to develop inclusive research engagement networks to recruit underrepresented populations into brain health research. Key findings include the development of a sustainable online network to facilitate minority research engagement and knowledge sharing.
A study found that young Indigenous people's biological stress response is linked to the racism they experience, with impaired cortisol levels leading to a higher risk of poor mental health. The researchers suggest that this could be used to predict the development of mental health problems in First Nations' people.
A recent study published in International Journal of Epidemiology found that immigration raids can have a negative impact on the health of Latino newborns. Infants born to US-born and immigrant Latina mothers had a 24% greater risk of low birth weight compared to the previous year.
Research by Sam Houston State University found that Native Americans and Latinos were more likely to be denied access to good time benefits, while Asian offenders had better access. The study suggests that race-based stereotypes may influence judges' decisions on sentencing.
Research by University of Maryland Professor Sandra Crouse Quinn explores how race influences flu vaccine attitudes and behaviors. African Americans exhibit lower confidence in the vaccine safety process, lower trust, and skepticism, which hinder vaccination rates despite public health efforts.
A new study by The Dartmouth Institute finds that Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) with a high proportion of minority patients tend to perform worse on quality-of-care measures. ACOs serving these populations often struggle to offer essential services like routine specialty care and palliative care.
Casey Miller's initiative aims to increase diversity in physics graduate education through inclusive practices and support structures for underrepresented students. The project will assess faculty attitudes, develop training materials, and provide workshops to improve holistic admissions and retention.
Margaret Werner-Washburne, a renowned biologist, has received the AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award for her groundbreaking work in mentoring underrepresented students. Her initiatives have led to a significant increase in Hispanic and Native American doctorates in biological sciences.
Catherine Girard, a Canadian researcher, studied the diet and health of the local Inuit population in Resolute Bay. Her findings, published in mSphere, mark the first time that Inuit microbiome has been described, revealing a surprisingly similar gut microbiome compared to Montreal residents.
A recent study has identified signatures of ethnicity in the genome that reflect shared culture and environment rather than genetic ancestry. The researchers found that only three-quarters of epigenetic differences between Mexican and Puerto Rican children could be accounted for by genetic ancestry, suggesting a biological stamp made b...
Research reveals that African Americans are more likely to experience eosinophilic airway inflammation, making them less responsive to standard asthma treatments. This study highlights the need for personalized therapies tailored to individual airway inflammation patterns.
Researchers found that the Inuit gut microbiome is remarkably similar to that of urbanized Westerners, with subtle differences in relative abundances of individual taxa. Dietary fiber is identified as a major factor driving the overall composition of the microbiome.
A review of dermatology clinical trials found that racial and ethnic groups are underrepresented among study participants, with most being white. The lack of diversity is attributed to inadequate reporting of ethnicity and race, which may lead to a more homogenous population. To address this issue, the review suggests prioritizing raci...
The study found a significant decrease in the rate of death and heart attack after noncardiac surgery, with an annual incidence of approximately 150,000 events. However, the risk of ischemic stroke increased over time, from 0.52% in 2004 to 0.77% in 2013.
A study finds that Arctic Inuit and Native American cold adaptations originated from an extinct hominid population related to the Denisovans. The archaic variant of the TBX15/WARS2 region was introduced into modern humans during their expansion, potentially providing a unique adaptive trait.
A new study by Northwestern Medicine documents poor long-term outcomes of delinquent youth after juvenile detention, highlighting stark racial and ethnic disparities. Females functioned significantly better than males in nearly every domain, despite facing similar problems.
A new study from King's College London has found a link between adolescent obesity and the risk of developing heart disease in early adulthood, regardless of ethnicity. The study tracked an ethnically diverse group of children and found that being overweight in early adolescence adversely affects cardiovascular health in the 20s.
Researchers found that both Hispanic and white infants looked longer at African-American faces than their own ethnicity, suggesting a level of ethnic awareness. The study advances understanding of social cognition and development, highlighting the importance of studying infant attention to faces.
Researchers found that Americans tend to imagine a Black person when thinking about welfare recipients, associating them with negative traits like laziness and incompetence. This mental image influences people's judgments about who deserves government assistance.
A study of 129,535 Americans aged 50+ found that never-smoking older African American women had the highest COPD prevalence, with 7% and 5.2% in White women, respectively. Hormones and second-hand smoke exposure may contribute to this vulnerability.
A new regional center for diabetes translation research has been established at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, supported by a $2.9-million NIH grant. The center aims to improve diabetes prevention and control in low-income communities and racial/ethnic groups disproportionately affected by the disease.
A MU study found that Hispanic adults with diabetes experienced significant improvements in blood sugar levels through peer support interventions. The meta-analysis of 17 randomized control trials suggests that these interventions can be an effective way to improve glycemic control and health education for minority patients.
Research from Oregon State University reveals numerous gaps in survivorship care for Latinas, including unmet needs for information, symptom management, and coordination among specialists. The study highlights the importance of understanding cultural context and developing tailored support systems to address these gaps.
Research reveals that African American and Latino children have significantly higher rates of corn, shellfish, and fish allergies compared to white children. The study found that wheat allergy is also more common among African American children, potentially contributing to higher rates of anaphylaxis and emergency room visits.
A new model examines how drug policy and criminal justice practices contribute to racial disparities in HIV rates. The tool highlights the disproportionate impact of drug-related arrests and sentencing on African American communities, affecting social marginalization, health care access, and intimate relationships.
A recent survey found that Asian Americans are the least likely racial or ethnic group in the US to receive type 2 diabetes screening, despite having a high risk of developing the disease. Only 47.1% of eligible Asian Americans received screening tests between 2012 and 2014.
A new study finds that quitlines are reaching more smokers from diverse racial groups. Quitline users represent only a small percentage of tobacco users in each group, but the service can help reach underserved populations.
Researchers found that large decadal-scale shifts in the Sierra Nevada fire regime were related to changes in human activity, rather than climate change. Human land use patterns heavily influenced the fire regime, with four distinct time periods identified.
The Gerontological Society of America has selected 16 distinguished reporters for the Journalists in Aging Fellows Program. The fellows will develop major aging-focused stories or series during GSA's Annual Scientific Meeting, exploring concerns such as elder isolation, homeless seniors, and the digital future.
A University of Huddersfield professor found that black and minority ethnic teachers need white endorsement to climb the career ladder. Despite being underrepresented, only 1% of head teachers are BME, highlighting the need for robust policy monitoring.
A study by UC Santa Barbara psychologist Brenda Major found that highly identified white Americans who feel threatened by diversity are more likely to support Donald Trump and endorse anti-immigrant policies. However, those less identified with their ethnicity tend to oppose Trump and support anti-bias norms.
African American men have higher incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer due to genetic factors and socioeconomic disparities. MNX1 is a new oncogene identified as more active in African American prostate cancer, which can lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatment approaches.
A recent study published in Menopause found a gene variant associated with hot flashes in postmenopausal women. The study examined genetic variations across the human genome and discovered that specific variants on chromosome 4 linked to the tachykinin receptor 3 were more common among women experiencing hot flashes.
African American women are diagnosed with breast cancer at younger ages and face higher mortality rates due to more aggressive ER-negative tumors. Researchers identified modifiable risk factors, including breastfeeding and waist-to-hip ratio, that may help reduce personal risk of ER-negative breast cancer.
The UCR School of Medicine has received a $250,000 PCORI grant to engage Native American patients in research, focusing on chronic health concerns and cultural differences. The project aims to increase trust between healthcare providers and communities in the Riverside-San Bernardino area.
Researchers found that positive attitudes towards marriage dampen risky behaviors among lighter-skinned African Americans and Asians, but have little effect on darker-skinned individuals. The study suggests that promoting healthy attitudes toward romantic relationships could encourage better decision-making and behaviors.
A recent study found that over 67% of participants had at least one persistent pollutant at high concentrations, with 13% having 10 or more at high levels. The study also revealed a significant correlation between POP exposure and socioeconomic factors, such as race and body mass index.
A study analyzing 160,000 cases found that African American and disabled children are at least 50% more likely to be corporally punished than their peers. The report highlights widespread disparities in the administration of corporal punishment by race, gender, and disability status.
A NYU Steinhardt study reveals that students across racial lines hold Black and Latino teachers in higher regard than White teachers. The research underscores the value of a diverse teaching force, particularly for urban schools with majority non-White student populations.
A new study estimated the number of people with Down syndrome in the US from 1950 to 2010, revealing a significant underestimation. The study found that the total number of individuals with Down syndrome was approximately 206,366 in 2010, with significant differences among ethnic and racial groups.
A new study by Nils B. Weidmann and colleagues found that politically excluded groups in countries with strong government control have lower internet access rates compared to more powerful groups. The researchers used the Ethnic Power Relations database to analyze internet availability among marginalized groups and found significant di...
Canada's high youth and indigenous suicide rates warrant a comprehensive national strategy. The World Health Organization has seen declines in countries with government-led programs, suggesting a similar approach could work here.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that African American breast cancer survivors face unique challenges, including emotional and physical problems. The study suggests that addressing these issues can help reduce cancer disparities and improve health outcomes.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that African Americans and Hispanics have higher Medicare costs for end-of-life care, despite controlling for individual factors. The researchers conclude that disparities are rooted in the healthcare system as a whole.
A new study by a UC Santa Barbara researcher reveals that Latinos age at a slower rate than other ethnic groups. The findings, published in Genome Biology, may one day help scientists understand how to slow the aging process for everyone.
A new study by Victor Agadjanian found that members of the ethnic majority in Kyrgyzstan are more optimistic about future economic trends compared to minority groups, particularly Uzbeks. The study highlights the importance of understanding the historical context of ethnic tensions and their impact on minority group experiences.
A Harvard Medical School study reveals genetic tests may have disproportionately misdiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in black Americans due to racially biased methodologies. The findings highlight the importance of using diverse control populations to ensure accurate test results.
A study published in JAMA found that the proportion of US nursing home residents with advanced dementia receiving feeding tubes decreased by approximately 50% between 2000 and 2014. Feeding tube use declined across racial groups, but remained higher among black residents.
A study of nearly 350,000 adults found that expanded carrier screening increased detection of carrier status for potentially serious genetic conditions compared to current recommendations. Expanded testing identified more fetuses at risk than guideline-based screening, which was based on self-reported racial/ethnic background.
A UCLA study finds that Latinos age more slowly at the molecular level, with an epigenetic clock measuring their age as 2.4 years younger than non-Latino women of the same age after menopause. This discovery may help scientists understand how to slow the aging process for everyone.