Research on ethnicity, identity, and health. Covers code-switching, traditional health practices, immigration and disease, and patient communication.
Research reveals that depression is more likely to be severe, untreated, and disabling among black populations compared to white populations. The study found that nearly two-thirds of African Americans and Caribbean blacks experience depression in the previous 12 months, with many receiving inadequate treatment.
A new study shows that Transcendental meditation significantly improves heart function and quality of life for African Americans with congestive heart failure. The technique was found to reduce symptoms such as depression and rehospitalizations, leading to improved survival rates.
A study found that focused support increased breastfeeding rates among Latina women, with those receiving peer counseling being 10-66 times more likely to nurse exclusively at 2 months postpartum. The research highlights the need for tailored interventions to address ethnic disparities in breastfeeding promotion.
A recent study by Case Western Reserve University found that caregivers with strong cultural beliefs and religious practices can shield themselves from mental health difficulties, however elevated cortisol levels indicate a risk of physical problems. Caregivers with stronger positive cultural beliefs about caring for elders were more l...
The Inuit are adapting to climate change in coastal communities such as Arctic Bay, but the transfer of knowledge between old and young is becoming less relevant. The use of dogs versus snowmobiles for travel over sea ice is a significant issue due to changing ice behavior.
Raymond L. Johnson, a professor at the University of Maryland, received the prestigious AAAS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement for mentoring 23 African American students to PhDs in mathematics. Gary S. May, head of Georgia Tech's electrical and computer engineering school, was also honored for guiding 33 African American students t...
A new study reveals that biomedical researchers often use social and historical explanations to define race and ethnicity, rather than biological differences. The research highlights the imperfect science of defining ethnic groups and emphasizes the importance of considering structural inequalities in understanding health disparities.
Research shows African American mothers are 3 times more likely to deliver prematurely at 20-34 weeks and almost 4 times more likely to deliver extremely prematurely. Repeating premature births also occur at a significantly higher rate among African American women compared to Caucasian mothers.
A new study finds that immigration has contributed to declines in interracial marriages in the US, particularly among Hispanic and Asian Americans. Education plays a key role in defining who participates in interracial marriages, with highly educated individuals more likely to cross racial lines to marry. African American intermarriage...
A study found that emergency departments in the US test for chest pain differently depending on a patient's race, gender, and insurance. African American males were less likely to receive diagnostic tests, including electrocardiography and cardiac monitoring.
A recent report by the National Dairy Council highlights the importance of dairy consumption among African Americans. The study found that African Americans in all age groups have lower average intakes of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and consume fewer servings of dairy foods compared to non-African Americans.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a new gene, SORL1, associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in different ethnic groups. The discovery highlights the complexity of the disease's genetics and underscores the need for further replication studies.
A new study found that Black Caribbean immigrants in the US experience poorer mental health as they stay longer, with higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders among men and lower rates among women compared to African Americans. Third-generation immigrants had the highest disorder rates.
A new study finds significant ethnic differences in treatment use for alcohol problems among whites, blacks, and Hispanics. The majority of services are provided in settings like hospitals and medical clinics, but financial and logistical barriers hinder access for minorities.
A new study by Yale University researchers found that race consciousness is pervasive among physicians of African descent, leading to negative experiences and 'racial fatigue.' The study highlights the need to address racial disparities in the healthcare workplace to increase diversity and retain minority physicians.
A new study reveals that health-care delivery, particularly screening tests and surgical treatment, contribute to poorer outcomes for African-American patients with colorectal cancer. The study found that African-Americans were more likely to have advanced disease and received less surgical treatment compared to other ethnicities.
The UCLA Department of Family Medicine will evaluate its interventions aimed at reducing racial and ethnic disparities in depression using the grant. The findings will help identify effective solutions to improve care for minority patients.
Scientists discovered distinct brain regions processing gender, ethnicity and facial identity, contradicting previous assumptions about face recognition. These findings have implications for understanding conditions like autism spectrum disorders and may lead to improved methods for enhancing face recognition abilities.
A longitudinal US study explores how individuals respond to national trauma and their long-term health outcomes. The research found that people's initial emotional response to a disaster, their approach to coping with the trauma, and their demographic background significantly impacted their health over time.
Research in Birmingham, UK found that children who walked less were more likely to worry about strangers, lack of local parks, and prefer car travel. Higher walking levels correlated with perceptions of heavy traffic, yet these views didn't deter kids from walking.
U-M researchers found that digital mammograms transmitted via satellite to radiologists in Ann Arbor, Mich., resulted in improved delivery of traditional mobile mammography services. The service allowed Native American women to receive timely follow-up care, with 72% of those needing additional images getting tested within three days.
A multifaceted intervention improved quality of life for caregivers of people with dementia, reducing clinical depression and caregiver burden. The program showed significant benefits for Hispanic and white caregivers, while African American spouse caregivers also saw improvements in self-care.
A tailored intervention addressing five areas of caregiving challenges improved quality of life and reduced clinical depression among caregivers. Hispanic and white participants saw the greatest benefits, while African-American spouse-caregivers also showed improvement in specific areas.
New research finds that blacks in the US have a lifetime prevalence of attempted suicide of about 4 percent, comparable to the general population but higher than previous estimates. The study also reveals significant differences in suicide rates between men and women, as well as by education level and geographic region.
A unique study published in PLoS Medicine found significant differences in street-based drug use patterns between African American and white men, with implications for tailored interventions. The research highlights the importance of understanding cultural backgrounds and motivations to improve patient access and adherence to care.
A new study by Wake Forest University psychologist Lisa Kiang suggests that positive feelings toward one's ethnic group can provide an extra boost of positivity in individuals' daily lives. Adolescents with higher ethnic regard rated their daily happiness levels higher than those with lower ethnic regard.
Researchers found that more than half of African American mitochondrial DNA sequences matched multiple sub-Saharan ethnic groups, making it difficult to determine ancestral origins. Only a few percent of the sequences were exact matches to a single African ethnic group's mitochondrial DNA.
A new study from the University of Southern California found that post-menopausal women's hormone levels vary by ethnicity and race, potentially explaining differences in breast cancer rates. Native Hawaiians have a higher risk of breast cancer due to their high estrogen levels.
The Iraqi public demonstrates the highest levels of intolerance to foreigners, with extraordinarily high levels of ethnic solidarity. Despite this, a majority of Iraqis (85%) believe democracy is the best form of government and their commitment seems genuine.
A University of Rochester study found that African Americans and Latinos are more likely to over-report their last preventive screening test, potentially harming their health. The research highlights the need for accurate tracking of ethnic disparities in healthcare.
A study published in BMC Health Services Research reveals ethnic disparities in preventive screening procedures are larger when estimated using Medicare claims, with the exception of PSA testing. Despite adjusting for various factors, minorities tend to report higher rates of receiving preventive procedures without a submitted claim.
A study explores the diversity of Muslims in Europe, highlighting their inability to form coherent political fronts due to decentralized Islamic structure and ethnic differences. The research suggests that Islam is not a unifying focal point for Western Europeans.
A recent study found that African American smokers who prefer menthol cigarettes are less likely to quit smoking compared to non-menthol smokers. Despite the potential for menthol to increase harm, the study suggests that switching from menthol to non-menthol cigarettes may facilitate smoking cessation and reduce health disparities.
A new study by Dennis Chong and Dukhong Kim explores how economic status affects racial and ethnic minority groups in the US. The research reveals that improved socioeconomic status generally diminishes group consciousness among most minorities, but African Americans retain their racial identity due to ongoing discrimination.
A study published in Child Development found that children aged 5-11 who read stories about friendships between their group and a stigmatized group had more favorable views of the group. The stories emphasized the commonalities between the characters, leading to increased understanding and reduced prejudice.
A new study reveals that white children attending primarily white schools are more likely to attribute negative intentions to African-American children than those in diverse school settings. Children from diverse backgrounds were more optimistic about cross-race friendships.
A recent study found that South Asian men experience more urinary problems than their white counterparts, including difficulties storing urine and urinating frequently. Despite this, they are less likely to seek medical attention or advice for these symptoms.
Researchers have identified a genetic variation that affects cancer susceptibility in people of African descent, which may influence drug metabolism and response. The p53 tumor-suppressor protein is regulated by the ASPP family of proteins, with one form linked to increased cancer risk near the equator.
The American Political Science Association (APSA) announced its 2006 award recipients, recognizing outstanding scholarly achievements in various fields. The awards included book and dissertation prizes, as well as career honors for notable public service and journalistic contributions.
A new study from the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center and Brown Medical School reveals that African American adolescents with depressive symptoms are at a higher risk of engaging in risky sexual behavior. The study concludes that assessing depressive symptoms can help prevent future emotional disorders and HIV/STI transmission...
Researchers analyze cases of vitamin D deficiency in UK and conclude that supplementing Asian children for two years from birth can curb re-emergence of the deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to various health problems, including rickets, poor tooth formation, and increased risk of multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
The PBS/NOVA documentary 'Forgotten Genius' celebrates the life and work of Percy Julian, a trailblazing chemist who made significant contributions to the field. Julian's research led to the synthesis of physostigmine, a drug used in glaucoma treatment, and he was a pioneer in biomedical research.
A study of 5,615 child patients found that age, race, cause of kidney failure, and residual function were associated with short stature. Over one-third of children with kidney disease met the criteria for short stature.
A study examining stroke recurrence in Mexican Americans found they have a higher risk of recurrent strokes compared to non-Hispanic whites. This increased risk is associated with a higher mortality rate, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve outcomes.
A new study published in Annals of Neurology found that Mexican-Americans are more likely to suffer another stroke in the first two years after living through one, and have a significantly higher risk of dying from it. The researchers emphasize the importance of secondary prevention measures for this population.
Two genetic markers, one associated with African American babies and the other with women with chronic hypertension, have been identified as potential predictors of preterm birth. The findings could lead to improved diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of preterm birth, reducing its risks for lifelong health complications.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a DNA segment on chromosome 8 that is a major risk factor for prostate cancer, especially in younger African American men. The study found that this region increases the likelihood of prostate cancer by about doubling it in younger African Americans.
A new study predicts that the US will spend $2.2 trillion on stroke care over the next 45 years unless preventive measures are taken. The highest costs will be for African American and Latino patients, who suffer strokes at younger ages and receive poorer-quality care.
A study found that African Americans with hepatitis C infection experience a lower response rate to peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin combination treatment compared to Caucasian Americans. The racial difference in viral responses was seen as early as the fourth week of treatment, with African Americans having a significantly lower su...
Estimated costs of ischemic stroke in the US will exceed $2.2 trillion by 2050, with non-Hispanic whites facing a cost of $1.52 trillion and African Americans facing a higher per capita cost of $25,782. The study highlights ethnic disparities in stroke-related healthcare access and outcomes.
A study by University of Georgia doctoral student Matthew Harrison found that dark-skinned black applicants were less preferred than lighter-skinned counterparts with similar qualifications. This 'colorism' in hiring is rooted in societal perceptions associating light skin with attractiveness and intelligence.
A new study found that children from minority groups face higher rates of neighborhood poverty than their white and Asian counterparts. Between 1990-2000, African-American children benefited the most from declining poverty rates, while poor white children were more likely to live in non-poor neighborhoods.
Researchers found that multiracial congregations have dramatically different social ties compared to other Americans. Members in these congregations reported feeling accepted and having cross-racial friendships, which is lower than those in same-race or non-congregation groups.
A large representative survey found that 3.5% of adolescents in the US had ever exchanged sex for drugs or money, with higher rates among African American youths and those from non-traditional family setups. The study also showed a significant link between exchanging sex and drug use, as well as depression and having been forced into sex.
A recent study found that extreme heat increases mortality risk among the elderly, diabetics, and African Americans. The research analyzed 7.8 million deaths across US cities from 1989 to 2000, revealing a significant association between extreme temperatures and cardiovascular-related deaths in African Americans.
A new study found that African Americans have lower adherence rates to type 2 diabetes medication compared to whites. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,700 Medicaid patients and found that black patients were 12% less likely to take their medication as prescribed.
A recent study published in Policy Sciences examines the ethnic differences in job quality among US forest workers. The research reveals that Hispanic workers face more onerous jobs with fewer benefits, including less job security and no health insurance compared to white workers.
Sixty-two percent of Hispanic adults were uninsured, with three-quarters having no health insurance due to low income. Uninsured rates for African Americans are also high, with one-third experiencing gaps in coverage during the year. These disparities affect access to care and confidence in managing health problems.
A new study published in Obesity journal found that societal pressure on weight can discourage adults from adopting exercise and healthy lifestyle habits. The research highlights the importance of shifting focus away from specific target weights and promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits instead.
A new study finds that African-Americans are more likely to cohabit with and marry whites than black immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa. Interracial marriages among different racial groups remain low, but cohabitation rates are higher.