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SOPHE journals examine new research & practice solutions

The SAGE journals examine the latest research and best practices in public health education to address health disparities. Key findings highlight the importance of a transdisciplinary approach and community-driven initiatives, such as the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program.

SourceSAGE·JournalHealth Promotion Practice·DateJul 24, 2006

Racial differences found in emphysema onset

Researchers confirm racial biological differences in emphysema distribution and severity between African Americans and Caucasians. The study suggests that the mechanism underlying the disease may vary between races, highlighting the need for targeted antismoking policies and improved treatment options for African American patients.

Name can lead to housing discrimination

A study by Oregon State University found that housing discrimination can occur based on name, with some landlords reacting more negatively to minority-sounding names. The research used a large sample of e-mail inquiries to landlords in Los Angeles and found significant differences in responses received by different names.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Applied Social Psychology·DateMay 24, 2006

Our racial identity affects who we see

Researchers found that visual perception is influenced by one's racial group membership, with Black-primed and White-primed biracial individuals differing significantly in their search patterns. The study demonstrates the malleability of visual perception to top-down influences.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 10, 2006

African American men paradoxically have fewer, less severe coronary obstructions than white males

The study found that African American men had fewer and less severe coronary obstructions than their white counterparts, despite similar estimated probabilities of obstruction. This paradox raises questions about the factors contributing to racial disparities in cardiovascular disease outcomes.

SourceMedical College of Wisconsin·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 27, 2006

Mammography screenings for breast cancer show racial and ethnic disparities

A six-year study analyzing data from 1 million mammograms reveals racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer screenings. African-American women are more likely to have inadequate screening before diagnosis, whereas Asian and Native American women tend to underutilize mammography, leading to higher advanced-stage tumor rates.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 17, 2006

Let patients use their own terms to describe ethnicity

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that using open-ended questions to collect patient-reported data on ethnicity resulted in lower rates of missing values and unusable data compared to traditional closed-ended methods. This method also better captured the nuances of patients' self-identified ethnicities.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 17, 2006

Early California: A killing field

University of Utah archaeologist Jack M. Broughton's study of ancient Native American bird bones reveals that California wasn't always abundant in wildlife as settlers arrived. Indigenous people hunted some species to local extinction, and wildlife returned after European diseases decimated Indian populations.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalOrnithological Monographs·DateFeb 13, 2006

Study on hypertension indicates racial disparity among Hispanics

A recent study by Dr. Luisa Borrell at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health reveals a racial disparity in hypertension among Hispanics, suggesting that being Black within this ethnic group is associated with the highest prevalence of high blood pressure. The research highlights the importance of addressing health inequ...

Less than half of US healthcare workers get flu shots

A UCLA/Harvard study reveals that less than half of US healthcare workers receive flu shots, with lower rates among African American and younger workers. This low vaccination rate increases the likelihood of flu transmission to patients, highlighting the need for targeted educational campaigns to improve outreach and vaccination rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 24, 2006

Hispanic asthma rates highest among Puerto Ricans

A study examining asthma rates in Hispanics found that Puerto Ricans have the highest prevalence of asthma, with 31% of school children experiencing current wheezing. The study also found significant differences in asthma rates and disease severity among Hispanic subgroups.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 15, 2006

Family influences breast cancer treatment among older Hispanics

A study of 257 breast cancer patients aged 55+ found that Hispanic women were more likely to identify a family member as the final decision-maker for treatment. This led to lower rates of breast-conserving surgery compared to mastectomy in these patients. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging patients' family members in ...

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJan 9, 2006

Risky sex in Miami, racial influence on children's care in latest Journal of Urban Health

A recent study published in the Journal of Urban Health highlights risky sexual behaviors among gay men in Miami, with over a third using club drugs and engaging in unprotected sex. Meanwhile, another study found no significant difference in pediatric care quality based on the race/ethnicity of the child's doctor, but rather emphasizes...

SourceNew York Academy of Medicine·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateJan 5, 2006

Ethnic minorities and health research

A new study found that racial and ethnic minorities are just as willing, if not more willing, to participate in health research than non-Hispanic whites. However, they were less likely to be invited to participate in these studies, highlighting the need for improved access and inclusivity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 5, 2005

Death sentences linked to history of lynching in states

A study by Ohio State University researchers found a clear link between the number of lynchings and death sentences in US states, particularly for Black victims. The study suggests that the death penalty has become a legal replacement for lynching, with a stronger connection observed when only Black death sentences are considered.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateSep 26, 2005