Research on ethnicity, identity, and health. Covers code-switching, traditional health practices, immigration and disease, and patient communication.
A new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that socioeconomic factors do not equally impact child obesity rates among different ethnic groups. The research suggests that focusing on social and environmental factors can lead to more effective weight management, particularly in minority populations.
A recent study found that African-American menthol smokers had higher cotinine levels than white menthol smokers, despite similar daily cigarette consumption. The researchers suggest that cigarette preference, not ethnicity, may be the cause of this difference.
Researcher Andrea Most examines the works of influential Jewish American composers, revealing how Broadway musicals addressed complex issues of identity, assimilation, and American culture. Her book will shed new light on the genre's often-overlooked 'Jewish origins' and its impact on the American experience.
Research found that anti-racism messages can increase ambivalence and prejudice in some individuals, especially those with conflicting attitudes towards ethnic minorities. The studies suggest that these messages may not be effective in reducing prejudice and could even worsen it.
A new study found that videotaping a message about healthy eating can increase fruit and vegetable consumption in African American teenagers. The intervention combined behavioral skills learning with motivational techniques, leading to significant improvements in dietary habits.
A recent Emory University study reveals that the majority of baby-boomers fall short of good health, with 62.2% categorized as 'incompletely healthy'. The research emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to adopt a more holistic approach, focusing on disease prevention and health promotion rather than just treating illness.
According to a study by Maria Krysan, white residents often blame African Americans for problems in poor urban neighborhoods, despite stable black middle-class areas existing. Whites are more likely to move due to concerns about crime and property values than education level or personal comfort.
Researchers studied 5069 patients and found that African Americans had lower exercise capacity despite higher rates of obesity. The study highlights the importance of weight reduction and increased physical fitness for preventing cardiovascular disease in African Americans.
A study reveals that second-generation Irish people in England and Scotland face difficulties in claiming their Irish heritage due to misperceptions about cultural background and assimilation into the English population. The research highlights the importance of acknowledging and celebrating Irish culture in these communities.
A study comparing two short screening instruments for alcohol-use disorders found that the Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen (RAPS4) is more effective than the CAGE questionnaire, particularly among women and ethnic minorities. The RAPS4-QF variant performed significantly better in identifying alcohol abuse across all gender and service-ut...
A recent study found significant differences in healthcare quality for elderly individuals across various ethnic groups. Black patients showed greater disparities compared to white patients, while Hispanic women had even more pronounced gaps in breast cancer screening rates than black women. The study highlights the need to address the...
The NHLBI initiative establishes partnerships between research-intensive and minority-serving institutions to investigate factors contributing to asthma disparities. The project focuses on psychosocial factors, ethnic variations in sensitivity to environmental allergens, and the interrelationship between genetic susceptibility and stress.
A study of African American and white women found that weight loss improved metabolic profiles regardless of visceral fat loss. Visceral fat loss was greater in white women, but the benefits on major disease risk factors were similar across racial groups.
Research found that adolescent blood pressure increases differ by ethnicity and sex. Black participants showed greater blood pressure responses to stress compared to white subjects. Males also exhibited higher blood pressure levels during relaxation, similar to findings in adults.
A study by Tiffany Yip and Andrew J. Fuligni found that adolescents' sense of ethnicity increased with participation in ethnic activities, such as speaking Chinese or eating Chinese food. The researchers also discovered a stronger connection between feeling Chinese and positive feelings in boys compared to girls.
Researchers found African-Americans are two to four times more likely to undergo lower limb amputations, with higher rates among above-knee amputations. The study highlights the need for further investigation into underlying causes and public health initiatives to alleviate excess risk of limb loss.
Archaeologists discovered a 900-year-old square hilltop village in Illinois that contradicts previous understanding of Cahokian settlements. The village had a rigid orientation and large central residence with religious structures, sparking questions about its purpose as a farming village or administrative outpost.
A gene found in some people of African descent may increase the chance of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), which can be lethal in rare cases. Precautions such as taking alternative diuretics and staying hydrated during exercise may help reduce risk, say researchers.
Researchers found a gene variant associated with abnormal heart rhythm in African Americans, affecting an estimated 4.6 million people. The SCN5A gene variant increases the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias when combined with other factors.
Researchers find Americans spend nearly half of their adult life single or in noncoresidential dating relationships. Women are more likely to spend longer periods in single status, especially after age 40.
The American Sociological Association's President emphasizes the need to study mechanisms driving social inequalities in the workplace. Researchers should focus on organizational and societal-level factors, such as design of work and promotions, to understand how ascriptive characteristics affect inequality.
A study of 835 public-housing residents in Baltimore found that strong religious and social support were key 'protective' factors against suicidal thoughts, with 90% reporting comfort from religion. These findings may inform interventions to prevent suicide among older African Americans.
African American women are at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency due to darker skin and limited sunlight exposure. Research suggests that even with adequate supplements, many African American women still suffer from hypovitaminosis D.
A new UNC study finds that Hispanic men become obese 2.5 times faster than U.S. men of European ancestry, while black women become obese more than twice as fast as white women. The study also shows that the prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults doubled over 40 years, with 61% now classified as obese or overweight.
A study of 200 type 1 diabetic patients found a significantly higher mortality rate among African Americans, due largely to acute complications. The results suggest an inadequacy in care for African Americans with type 1 diabetes, potentially linked to issues such as access to care and education.
A new study by UB researchers provides the first scientific proof that handwriting is unique to each individual, setting a significant standard for handwriting analysis in forensic applications. The team's software system can distinguish with 96% confidence whether two documents were written by the same person or different people.
A nationwide study of over 1,500 Hispanic, white, and black men found that erectile dysfunction (ED) affects approximately 20% of Hispanic men, 22% of whites, and 24% of blacks. The study also revealed a strong link between ED and cardiovascular disease, as well as diabetes.
A recent study found that Air Force recruits are disproportionately affected by smoking, with high rates among white women and black men. The study suggests the need for culturally sensitive cessation interventions to address these disparities.
A new study challenges the Hispanic paradox, finding that U.S.-born Mexican Americans have higher rates of heart disease deaths than non-Hispanic whites. Researchers also found that Mexico-born Hispanics were not significantly different in mortality risk.
Men and women who smoked cigarettes had a significantly increased risk of heart attack, with female smokers facing an 80% greater risk than their peers. This contradicts the initial assumption that leanness is cardio-protective, highlighting the need for further research.
Research study finds a positive association between obesity and long QTc, as well as an inverse association between physical activity and QTc duration in African American women. The study suggests that otherwise healthy individuals with obesity are at increased risk for acquiring Long QT Syndrome.
A recent study found significant dietary deficiencies in African American females with low incomes, particularly in folate, iron, calcium, and vitamin D. The study also highlighted excessive energy intake and high levels of saturated fats. To address these concerns, nutrition education is essential to promote healthier eating habits.
A study found that young African American males without hypertension have arteries with reduced capacity to expand, indicating a potential risk factor for the disease. The research also revealed decreased baroreflex sensitivity and sympathovagal balance, suggesting an increased likelihood of developing hypertension in the future.
A study found that Canadian medical students are more likely to be from visible minorities, but underrepresented from certain minority groups like black and Aboriginal. Medical students also tend to come from higher socioeconomic backgrounds and less rural areas compared to the general Canadian population.
The study found energy expenditure differences between African American and white children, as well as differences in body composition and activity levels. Children with higher fat mass expended more energy, regardless of their race or sex.
Innovative programs addressing infant mortality, cancer screening and management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and immunization show promise. Community-based initiatives, including churches, prisons, and barber shops, are key to building trust and addressing socio-economic factors contributing to health disparities.
Research found that African-American women with ovarian cancer are at a 30% increased risk of death from any cause compared to Caucasian women. The study also revealed significant differences in tumor stage, lymph node involvement, and surgery rates between the two ethnic groups. Median survival times were also shorter for African-Amer...
A recent study found racial and ethnic disparities in the receipt of cancer treatments, with white patients often receiving more aggressive therapy than minority groups. The study analyzed data from 87 studies and found consistent differences in therapy, including less frequent surgery for lung and colorectal cancers among minorities.
A study of over 1,500 children found that risk-taking behaviors, rebelliousness, and delinquency are common factors in smoking among all ethnic groups. Good relationships with parents, however, provide a protective effect against smoking across ethnicities.
Research by Spruijt-Metz et al. found that maternal feeding practices are a strong predictor of childhood obesity, with controlling feeding strategies potentially interfering with children's ability to self-regulate their food intake. The study suggests that future obesity prevention efforts should focus on improving parental feeding b...
A recent study found that social factors can significantly affect the survival rates of lung cancer patients, with African Americans facing higher mortality rates due to poorer physical performance and weight loss. The researchers adjusted for these factors in their analysis, finding no difference in outcomes between ethnic groups.
A study of urban pregnant Native American and African American women found that these groups have higher rates of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) than white women. The research reveals distinct beverage preferences, with beer being the preferred choice among Native Americans and malt liquor among African Americans.
A recent study found that liver transplant patients from African American and Asian backgrounds experience lower two-year and five-year survival rates compared to their white American and Hispanic counterparts. The study suggests a need for further research into the reasons behind these disparities in patient outcomes.
A Hopkins-led study found that African Americans and Asians have poorer graft rejection and survival rates after liver transplantation compared to white Americans and Hispanics. The study's lead author suggests that more research is needed to determine the causes of these disparities, with preliminary data suggesting socioeconomic fact...
The new Northwest/Alaska Center for Research to Reduce Oral Health Disparities will investigate disparities in oral health, focusing on children from poor families and minority groups. Researchers aim to prevent cavities through xylitol, culturally appropriate approaches to dental fear, and effective care translation.
A study found that Chinese-Americans take in less nicotine per cigarette and metabolize it more slowly than whites and Latinos, possibly explaining lower lung cancer rates. This correlation suggests slow nicotine metabolism may contribute to reduced nicotine intake, a factor linked to lower lung cancer incidence.
A team of UCLA and Finnish scientists has identified a genetic mutation outside the lactose intolerance gene, found in 196 adults from African, Asian, and European descent. The researchers believe this variant is the original form of the gene that mutated to tolerate milk products when humans adopted dairy farming.
A study found that nearly half of Latino men have never had a recommended digital rectal exam for prostate and colorectal cancer. Factors associated with the procedure included doctors discussing it, having health insurance, and English skills among Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans.
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that glaucoma affects approximately 0.5% of people aged 41-49 and up to 12% of those aged 80+, with women being disproportionately affected. The high prevalence among Mexican-Americans may be attributed to barriers such as cost of care and distrust of majority culture.
A recent NHLBI study found that the DASH diet and reducing dietary sodium can lower blood pressure in diverse populations, including those with hypertension, older adults, and younger individuals. The study's findings suggest that these lifestyle changes can benefit Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and health statuses.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that the ADH2*3 allele may be associated with a lowered risk for developing alcoholism in young African American adults. The allele, which is prevalent among people of African descent, has been linked to faster and more efficient alcohol metabolism.
A study found significant disparities in HIV/AIDS treatment among minority Medicaid recipients, with African Americans waiting longer to start life-saving treatments and Hispanics being less likely to stay on them. The researchers suggest that improved care strategies and supportive services are needed to address these disparities.
A study found that ethnic differences affect the relationship between family environment and teen gang involvement, with black youth benefiting from more controlling parents and white/other youth increasing their involvement with gangs. Gang intervention programs should address both peer and parent relationships to be effective.
Research finds that genetics, age, and depression are significant predictors of arthritis, while openness is linked to effective mental functioning among aging African Americans. The study also suggests a strong genetic influence on several measures of well-being, including life satisfaction and depression.
Researchers analyzed 20 years of US vital statistics data to find racial disparities in heart disease mortality rates. The study confirmed that African Americans experienced a slower decline in CHD death rates, highlighting the need for targeted prevention programs.
The American Physiological Society has awarded over $160,000 to nine minority students pursuing PhDs in physiology. The one-year Porter Physiology Fellowships aim to increase underrepresented minority participation in the physiological sciences.
A new study analyzing 2,109 court cases on religion found that government regulations can disproportionately affect minority religions. The study, led by Dr. Roger K. Finke, reveals that minority religions are more likely to be involved in court decisions and less likely to receive favorable rulings compared to mainline churches.
The ACS Scholars Program provides financial support to minority students pursuing undergraduate studies in chemistry and related disciplines. With over $850,000 in awards anticipated for the next two semesters, the program aims to increase diversity in the chemical sciences workforce. Students can receive up to $3,000 per year and bene...
A unique 5-year study will enroll 105,000 people, including two-thirds African-Americans, to identify key factors contributing to cancer development. The Southern Community Cohort Study will explore lifestyle and genetic factors linked to cancer disparities in the southeastern US.
A study of Mexican American women who report physical or sexual assault finds a strong relationship between alcohol abuse disorders and past victimization. This association remains even after controlling for other factors, suggesting that trauma may be part of the clinical picture in the present.