Research on ethnicity, identity, and health. Covers code-switching, traditional health practices, immigration and disease, and patient communication.
A CU Denver study explores the connection between preferred ethnic labels and cultural heritage among Latin American descent individuals. The research found that Hispanic students identified with traditional US values, while Chicana/o students were more likely to identify with their cultural heritage.
A groundbreaking study from FPG found that African-American students in segregated schools experience smaller gains in reading skills during first grade. However, student backgrounds are unlikely to be the cause of these differences, according to researchers.
A recent study published by researchers from UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center and the University of Victoria found that early life experiences, such as childhood socioeconomic status and literacy, have a greater influence on the risk of cognitive impairment late in life than demographic characteristics like race and ethnicity. The s...
A first-of-its-kind study found that anxiety about being confronted by negative racial stereotypes while receiving healthcare is related to underutilization of healthcare among Black women. The research suggests that strong ethnic identity may provide immunity from stereotype threat, reducing anxiety levels.
A study examined the interest level of over 300 African American adults in genetic testing for alcohol dependence susceptibility, with some expressing concern over privacy and testing methods. The results suggest that more research is needed to address these concerns and establish effective genetic counseling strategies.
A study of 15,792 US adults found a significant decrease in stroke incidence and mortality rates over two decades, with decreases seen across age groups. The decline was attributed to improved control of risk factors such as hypertension, smoking cessation, and diabetes management.
Testicular cancer incidence has been increasing dramatically among young Hispanic American men, with a 58% rise from 1992 to 2010. The rate of testicular germ cell tumor is now expected to outpace that of non-Hispanic white men in the US.
Researchers from Minzu University of China conducted geometric morphometric analysis on the sides faces of Tu and Zang ethnic groups, revealing distinct variations and common features. The study aimed to contribute to research on Chinese facial profile characteristics and variations.
Research by Dr. Joel Ray of St. Michael's Hospital found that a father's ethnic background influences a child's birthweight, similar to the effects seen in mothers. Babies born to mixed-ethnic parents tend to weigh less than those with two European-born parents.
A recent survey conducted at Washington State University found that half of Native American veterans say standard PTSD treatments don't work. Instead, many turn to traditional healing therapies like the Sweat Lodge ceremony, which helps dispel chronic 'ghost sickness' and provides a sense of community and spirituality.
Researchers investigated aesthetic nasal tip projection and rotation in white women, revealing significant individual variability. The study's findings have implications for cosmetic surgery and rhinoplasty procedures.
A new study found that minority entrepreneurs are more likely to fail due to limited choices caused by rejection and discrimination. This can lead to a loss of self-esteem and personal control. The research highlights the need for public policy stakeholders to address these systemic issues.
African American women are more resistant to the anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin compared to white women, according to a new study. The research found that African American women experienced a reduced response to aspirin therapy in reducing cardiovascular disease and its risk factors.
Research from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that African American women with early-stage invasive breast cancer were 12% less likely to receive axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy, a minimally invasive technique. The study also showed that those who received older, more invasive axillary lymph node dissection ...
A study found that genetic variations common in African Americans increase risk of bleeding and death, while Caucasians with a different variant are at higher risk of repeat heart attacks and death. These variations affect the way people metabolize clopidogrel, a blood-thinning drug commonly prescribed after a heart attack.
A new study found that African Americans taking metformin saw greater improvements in blood sugar control compared to white individuals. The study suggests that metformin is more effective at controlling blood glucose in African Americans, who are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.
A comprehensive analysis of Mexico's genomic diversity identified a dazzling mosaic of genotypes and population substructures across the country. The researchers found that variations in Native American ancestry significantly affect biomedical traits like lung function.
A new report from the March of Dimes reveals that Hispanic women are more likely to have a baby with a neural tube birth defect and nearly a quarter of all preterm births in the US are Hispanic. Thalia, a global ambassador for the organization, is urging Hispanic women to be informed about pregnancy and baby health.
Researchers have mapped ancient Inuit trails using archival accounts, maps, and place names, providing a vital step in cultural preservation and understanding Inuit history. The 'pan-Inuit' world is being fragmented due to climate change, but the atlas shows the geographical extent and connectedness of Inuit occupancy.
Researchers argue that young people from disadvantaged communities in Northern Ireland need safe spaces to express their views, aiming to prevent exploitation by extremist forces. The symposium's report recommends devising a strategy for deprived communities, ensuring equality of citizenship and legal protections.
A recent study by Clayton Critcher and Jane L. Risen found that exposure to African-American success stories can lead to a misguided perception that these individuals simply need to work harder to achieve their goals. This misinterpretation can have significant implications for perceptions of race relations in America. The study's find...
Researchers argue that using homogeneous social groups as a baseline to study diversity may not fully capture the dynamics at play. A new study suggests that homogenous groups can produce anomalous effects on their members, including an overestimation of individual contributions.
African Americans have higher preterm delivery rates than non-Hispanic whites, partly due to disparities in residential environments. Researchers are investigating the links between subjective and objective measures of neighborhood exposures and preterm delivery among African American women.
A recent study estimates that nearly 1 in 8 American children will experience some form of maltreatment by the time they reach age 18. This alarming finding highlights the need for increased support and resources to protect vulnerable young lives.
The Journalists in Aging Fellows Program is expanding its coverage of aging issues thanks to new funding support from AARP. The program will include regional briefings and telebriefings to keep journalists engaged year-round.
A new study finds that immigration before adolescence can lead to risky behavior, but cultural values are less solidified. Hispanic immigrants have lower rates of alcohol- and drug-related problems than U.S.-born counterparts.
A nearly complete human skeleton found in a cave in Mexico has provided new insights into the ancestry of early Americans. The discovery, which dates back at least 12,000 years, shows that modern Native Americans are genetically related to an ancient population that migrated from Beringia.
A genetic study has linked the earliest Americans to modern Native-Americans, providing new insights into the origins of the Western Hemisphere's first people. The study analyzed DNA from a 12,000-year-old tooth found in Mexico and confirmed that ancient individuals belonged to a genetic lineage shared only by Native Americans.
A genetic study has identified an ancient girl as part of a genetic lineage shared by modern Native Americans, resolving years of speculation about the Americas' first inhabitants. The study, published in Science, used mitochondrial DNA from her tooth to confirm that she came from the same source population as living Native Americans.
A nearly complete Paleoamerican skeleton with Native American DNA has been discovered in Mexico, dating back to the end of the ice age. The skeleton, named Naia, shows unique morphological attributes and mitochondrial DNA haplotype consistent with Beringian origins.
A 12,000-year-old girl's DNA has revealed a significant genetic connection to modern Native Americans. The study found that Naia's skull shape was distinct from modern Native American populations, but her mitochondrial DNA showed a strong link. Researchers hope to sequence the full genome of this ancient girl in future studies.
The University of New Mexico's Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences has determined the age of Naia, a well-preserved human skeleton found in the Yucatan Peninsula. The analysis reveals that Naia was a Paleoamerican with Native American DNA, linking ancestral Americans to modern Native Americans.
A new study found that college students are engaging in unhealthy behaviors, including low fruit and vegetable consumption and physical inactivity, which could increase their risk of cancer later on. Racial minority students, particularly African Americans and Native Americans, were at a higher risk.
Research finds that lowering copayments for cardiovascular medications following a heart attack significantly improves adherence and reduces adverse events among nonwhite patients. Providing full drug coverage increased medication adherence and reduced major vascular events by 35% and healthcare spending by 70%.
Cases of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the US have nearly doubled since 1988, with obesity contributing to the surge. The burden of the disease is not evenly distributed, with higher rates among blacks, Hispanics, and the elderly.
Research suggests that irrational health beliefs are associated with lower adherence to cardiac rehabilitation programs. Patients with more irrational health beliefs completed a lower percentage of sessions than those with fewer such beliefs. Providing evidence-based medical information may help enhance adherence to the program.
African-Americans may be at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer's disease due to biologic and cultural factors. Researchers emphasize the need for increased participation of African-American participants in research studies to better understand the disease.
A study found that poor quality of life in African Americans with chronic kidney disease is associated with increased risks of disease progression and heart problems. The research suggests that improving quality of life may help protect patients' health, highlighting the need for better management of kidney disease-related health issues.
New research by Jane L. Risen of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business shows that people are more likely to deny the persistence of racism after being exposed to a successful African American. Thoughtful individuals are particularly vulnerable to making quick inferences about racial disparity.
A new study found that many parents, regardless of their race or ethnicity, engage in
A University of Colorado Boulder study has found that physicians' unconscious biases do not affect high blood pressure treatment for their minority patients. Despite earlier research showing a link between biases and lower patient ratings, the new study found no similar effect on treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that Asian immigrant parents pressure their children into conservative professions to avoid discrimination, stifling individual choices. Decoupling race and ethnicity from achievement could improve self-esteem among Asian Americans and others.
A recent analysis found that frequent experiences of racism were associated with a higher risk of obesity among African American women. Women who reported consistently high experiences of racism over a 12-year period were 69% more likely to become obese compared to those in the lowest category.
Researchers found that levels of racial prejudice among white people drop significantly when they live in ethnically mixed communities. Positive contact between people belonging to different ethnic groups leads to more tolerant societies overall.
A new study by University of Rochester researcher Maya Sen finds that the American Bar Association systematically awards lower ratings to minorities and women than to white or male candidates. This has significant implications for representation in federal courts, with African Americans being 42 percentage points less likely to receive...
Scientists suggest ancestors of Native Americans lived in shrub-tundra refugia on Bering land bridge for 10,000 years. The environment provided resources such as wood for construction and fires, allowing people to persist during the last glacial maximum.
A new paper by an MIT political scientist suggests a way to assess the relative impact of several factors at once in politics, using conjoint analysis. The method allows for direct comparison of how voters weigh different candidate characteristics, providing insights into voter preferences.
Researchers discovered that Native American ancestors may have settled in a region between Siberia and Alaska, using woody plants for fires to survive the Arctic winter. This finding fills a 10,000-year gap in the story of peopling the New World.
Despite lower levels of drinking, African-Americans encounter more problems due to social sanctions within the community, resulting in negative consequences at lower consumption levels. Very low-income African American men face the highest risk for problematic drinking and related issues.
The trial will examine effectiveness of different doses of inhaled corticosteroids with or without long-acting beta agonists in 500 African American patients aged 5 and older. Researchers aim to identify the most effective combination of medications and dosing regimens to manage asthma symptoms.
Research by Virginia Parks found that African-Americans spend more time commuting than any other group, with a 25% increase over average urban commutes. The study highlights the negative impact of racial segregation on low-wage workers, particularly black women who have the longest commutes.
An international team led by Eske Willerslev has mapped the genome of a 1-1.5 year-old boy found in a 12,600-year-old burial site in Montana, shedding light on the colonization of the Americas. The study reveals that approximately 80% of present-day Native American populations are direct descendants of this boy's family.
Research finds that indigenous cultures' medicinal plant use is linked to their environment, making them vulnerable to climate change and globalization. The study highlights the importance of preserving traditional knowledge to mitigate the impact of environmental changes on these communities.
Scientists have identified odor-producing chemicals in earwax that differ between individuals of East Asian origin and Caucasians. The study found a unique chemical signature associated with each ethnic group, suggesting that earwax could be an overlooked source of personal information.
Andrew Tsin, a professor of biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio, received the 2013 AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award for his dedication to mentoring underrepresented students. He has mentored over 130 students, including dozens of Hispanic Americans, and helped establish programs aimed at increasing diversity in science education.
A Michigan State University scholar found that Latino and black candidates won as often as their white counterparts when running for office. The study suggests that parties should recruit more minority candidates to address the lack of representation in elected offices
A new study confirms that big-city legislation is passed at lower rates than smaller bills, citing infighting within city delegations as the primary cause. Despite larger representation, urban areas struggle to pass legislation due to internal divisions and party politics.
African-Americans are 39 times more likely to die from a stroke after an infection compared to other ethnic groups. Infection promotes blood clot formation and fat buildup in arteries, contributing to higher stroke mortality rates among blacks.
An expert argues that allowing patients to choose the ethnicity of their attending doctors perpetuates institutional racism in hospitals. Dr Nadeem Moghal suggests that confronting racists and strengthening institution policies are key to preventing such incidents.
A meta-analysis of 46 studies found that positive feelings about race or ethnicity are associated with fewer symptoms of depression and emotional problems. Minority youth who feel positively about their racial or ethnic identity tend to have better social interactions, self-esteem, and academic performance.