Research on ethnicity, identity, and health. Covers code-switching, traditional health practices, immigration and disease, and patient communication.
Companies perceived as more trustworthy and committed to diversity when revealing struggles with racial diversity, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. Disclosing negative data signals genuine progress, rather than suppressing it.
A recent study found that certain medical specialties have made progress in increasing diversity among academic medical leaders, while others continue to lag behind
A new study reveals that newer diabetes treatments such as SGLT2-Is and GLP1-RAs offer no cardiovascular or renal benefits for Black populations. The research emphasizes the need for targeted access to care and treatment for those most at risk, considering racial disparities in healthcare.
The study found that type 1 diabetes incidence slightly increased overall, while type 2 diabetes significantly increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic youth were disproportionately affected.
A study of 2,708 emergency medicine residents found significant disparities in performance assessments by race, ethnicity, and sex. Female residents from underrepresented groups experienced the most severe disparities, which increased over multiple assessments.
A study of 68,000 patients with COVID-19 found that using Paxlovid or Lagevrio significantly reduced mortality and hospitalization rates in those at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19, regardless of age, race, or virus strain. These medications can be used to treat non-hospitalized patients at high risk of severe disease.
A $3 million grant will support a culturally tailored group-based intervention to prevent alcohol addiction and consequences in Pacific Islander young adults. The study aims to address the extreme risk of alcohol abuse in this population, which has been linked to high rates of alcohol use disorder.
A new study from Texas A&M University finds an association between vaping and asthma in US adolescents who have never smoked conventional tobacco products. The study highlights the need for strategies to tackle e-cigarette use and its adverse health effects.
A new study by Dr. Simon Haeder explores the relationship between race and public opinion on administrative burdens in Medicaid and SNAP policies. The research found that higher levels of racial resentment were associated with favoring increased burdens, while empathy and ability to manage tasks influenced opinions.
US overdose deaths involving fentanyl and stimulants increased 50-fold from 2010 to 2021, with stimulants becoming most common drug class found in fentanyl-involved overdoses. The trend disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minority communities, particularly Black and African American people.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that improvements in socioeconomic status are not equally beneficial for all racial or ethnic groups. Higher socioeconomic status is linked to better heart health, but this link is greatest among white adults compared to people in other groups.
A study of Medicare beneficiaries with chronic low back pain and opioid use disorder found that physical therapy and chiropractic care were underutilized, particularly among minority groups. The findings underscore the importance of addressing inequities in pain management to improve health outcomes.
Researchers found that African American women with ER-positive breast cancer have decreased levels of amino acids and increased levels of fatty acids compared to non-Hispanic white women. This study may help explain the higher mortality rates in African American women with the disease, suggesting potential new screening strategies.
This exploratory study reveals racial differences in clinical presentation among individuals diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. The findings suggest that racially minoritized individuals may experience more severe dementia severity, functional impairment, and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health reveals substantial racial and ethnic inequities in developing type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes. The findings show a fourfold increased risk among Black individuals, with 18.5% incidence rate, compared to 5% in White individuals.
A recent study found a three-fold increase in obesity-related heart disease deaths in the US between 1999 and 2020. The study highlights racial disparities, particularly among Black women, who faced the highest rates of obesity-related cardiovascular mortality.
A beauty salon-based intervention improved knowledge and awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Black cisgender women, increasing their trust in it. However, uptake was not affected, highlighting the need for re-evaluation of messaging to move women from intention to action.
A new study by Indiana University School of Medicine found that increasing pediatric readiness in emergency departments can reduce racial disparities in children and adolescents with acute medical emergencies. The higher the level of readiness, the lower the disparity between racial and ethnic groups.
Researchers found a significant disparity in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates between Black and Hispanic EMS agencies in certain areas, with lower rates reported in these agencies. The study's findings suggest that further assessment is needed to address these discrepancies.
US preterm infant mortality rates have declined among all categories of prematurity between 1995 and 2020. However, racial disparities persist, while socioeconomic disparities have widened over time, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address these inequalities.
A large-scale study of 633,000 children found that increased pediatric readiness in emergency departments decreased overall mortality, but had little effect on racial disparities. Black children were more likely to die from acute medical emergencies compared to white children.
A new study by Yale researchers found that despite reductions in fine particulate air pollution, racial and ethnic minorities still experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease-related deaths. The study found that Black people face the highest burden, with a mortality rate 4.59 times higher than white people in 2001.
A weighted lottery system may favor allocation of COVID-19 monoclonal antibody to individuals in disadvantaged neighborhoods and those identifying as Black. However, this approach may also result in lower acceptance rates among Black individuals who receive the drug.
A new study finds that children's books in the US continue to lack diversity, with only 2% of characters pictured as Black and 4% as Latinx. Mainstream books are also cheaper than those highlighting diverse identities, suggesting a possible reason for the disparity.
A study of COVID-19 patients in New Mexico reveals that Native Americans are more likely to develop severe disease, require mechanical ventilation, and have laboratory values indicative of more severe disease. The disparity is attributed to factors such as social determinants of health and potential immunological responses to the virus.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that most state-level pandemic triage plans still discriminate against older adults, individuals with disabilities, and minoritized racial and ethnic groups. The plans restrict access to critical care resources for patients with specific health conditions.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found significant disparities in healthcare access and use among Indigenous female populations living 'off reserve' in Canada. The research highlights higher morbidity rates and longer wait times for appointments, particularly in rural areas.
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened treatment outcomes for patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but did not significantly amplify existing racial and ethnic disparities in care. Additional efforts are needed to mitigate these inequities, particularly during periods of high hospital COVID-19 burden.
A study by Texas A&M University found that pregaming is linked to unsafe alcohol use and other risky behaviors among college students. Pregaming was associated with a two-day increase in alcohol use frequency and was found to be around 2.5 times more likely to lead to cannabis or other drug use.
Researchers at UCLA have found that embedding study recruitment in pre-appointment check-in pages can increase participation rates up to 40 times higher than traditional methods. The new technique, called preCheck-in recruitment, resulted in a socio-demographically representative patient population without financial incentives or staff...
Researchers from Mount Sinai found that Asian Americans have a significantly high exposure to PFAS, with median exposure scores 89% higher than non-Hispanic whites. The study used advanced data science methods to account for complex exposure sources and heterogeneity across different groups.
A study of 24,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients found that pulse oximetry led to delayed treatment and higher readmission rates, with racial disparities observed among black patients. The study highlights the importance of accurate oxygen saturation monitoring in preventing these outcomes.
The study found that racial and ethnic disparities in cardiometabolic diseases persisted despite social risk factors adjustments. Individuals with a more favorable social risk factor profile had lower rates of lifestyle risk factors and cardiometabolic diseases.
A statistically significant increase in heat-related illnesses was found among patients at US Department of Veteran Affairs facilities between 2002 and 2019. Specific groups, such as those with existing health conditions and certain ethnic groups, were more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
A study of 34,000 adolescents in Northern California found that those from disadvantaged neighborhoods were more likely to experience depressive symptoms and suicidality. The findings highlight the impact of structural racism on adolescent mental health.
A study reveals that racial differences in gut microbiome composition arise after 3 months of age and persist through childhood. Early social and environmental exposures play a significant role in shaping the gut microbiome, with research suggesting that environmental and social factors contribute to health disparities.
Researchers analyzed thousands of samples from 700 children between birth and 12 years old, finding that racial and ethnic differences in the gut microbiome arise after three months of age. The study suggests that external factors shape these variations rather than being present at birth.
A new study found that exposure to groups with dual social identities improves intergroup attitudes, especially when individuals identify strongly with both parts of their identity. This suggests that embracing both identities can be beneficial for minorities in terms of intergroup relations.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association highlights the importance of shared decision-making in cardiovascular care. Key findings include improved patient understanding, acceptance, and satisfaction when healthcare teams involve patients in decision-making processes.
Approximately 1 in 5 adults with past-year opioid use disorder received medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), highlighting disparities in uptake. MOUD disparities affect Black adults, women, unemployed individuals, and those in nonmetropolitan areas.
Researchers analyzed data from 230,000 individuals with second primary cancers, revealing higher mortality rates among Black and Hispanic populations compared to whites. The study highlights the need for targeted research on survival disparities in multiple primary cancer survivors.
Researchers have shown a positive association between added sugar consumption and an increased risk of developing kidney stones. Participants with higher intakes of added sugars had greater odds of developing kidney stones over the course of the study.
A groundbreaking analysis of historical DNA links tens of thousands of living individuals to enslaved and free African Americans at Catoctin Furnace. The study provides a new way to complement genealogical efforts and restore ancestral histories for African American communities.
A new study from WashU Medicine reveals that patients from underrepresented groups and lower socioeconomic neighborhoods are less likely to receive specialized dementia care. Black patients are also more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage dementia, exacerbating healthcare disparities.
Researchers found that translating consent documents can discourage investigators from recruiting patients with limited English proficiency, contributing to low rates of participation from underrepresented groups. By relieving investigators of these costs, studies can become more inclusive and results more accurate and generalizable.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that providing equal access to healthcare reduces disparities in treatment outcomes between Black and white patients with advanced prostate cancer. The research suggests that addressing racial disparities in healthcare may improve survival rates for this patient group.
A significant racial gap exists in M.D.-Ph.D. training, with Black students facing a 50% higher risk of leaving compared to their white peers. The study reveals that 29% of Black students did not complete their training, highlighting the need for targeted support and interventions.
This study highlights significant disparities in preoperative hemodialysis timing among patients with end-stage kidney disease, impacting surgical outcomes. The findings suggest a need to address equity in surgical care for these patients, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A recent study found that travel-related barriers significantly impact access to healthcare, particularly for marginalized communities. The research emphasizes the need to remove these barriers to achieve health equity.
A comprehensive review of US-based Alzheimer's disease brain imaging studies found that all racial and ethnic minority groups are underrepresented. The gap is narrowing, but the research highlights the need for more diverse samples to capture details of participants' lived experience.
A new study published in Developmental Psychology found that encouraging Latinx adolescents of Mexican origin to embrace their ethnic pride and cultural values can significantly improve psychological well-being. The study, led by UC Davis researchers, suggests that cultural preservation can help youth cope with adversity and racism.
Participation in a home visiting program reduced risk of adverse birth outcomes by up to 23% among Medicaid recipients. Black individuals saw greater risk reductions, highlighting disparities in prenatal and postnatal care.
A new study found that inducing labor at 39 weeks can reduce adverse perinatal outcomes for women from socioeconomically deprived areas. The analysis of over half a million births in England showed a small benefit from induction, with increased uptake associated with reduced inequities in pregnancy outcomes.
Researchers identified racial and ethnic disparities in receipt of complex lifesaving procedures for decompensated cirrhosis. These disparities persisted over time, contributing to unequal mortality rates among different patient groups.
Lacking Medicare coverage for screening CTC may contribute to greater income-based differences in its use compared to other recommended screening strategies or diagnostic CTC. Medicare coverage of CTC could reduce income-based disparities for individuals avoiding optical colonoscopy due to invasiveness or complication risk.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that Black Americans are more likely to trust videos about prostate cancer presented by a Black doctor. The study, led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, involved over 2,900 participants and showed that racial diversity among healthcare providers is crucial for improving ...
The use of AI models in healthcare for ethnic minority populations may worsen existing inequalities if not addressed. The researchers argue that the lack of diverse representation in research trials and data can lead to ineffective treatments and guidelines.
A new UCLA Health study analyzed genetic data from 36,000 patients to identify disease risks and healthcare utilization among ancestrally diverse groups in the Los Angeles region. The research found substantial differences in diagnoses, hospital utilization, and genetic disease rates across clusters linked by shared genetic ancestry.
A new study found that COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduced dementia-related deaths in long-term care and nursing homes, with a 77% decrease in the second year. However, deaths among those living at home did not decline as much, with only a 16% reduction.
A new study found that more than one million US deaths per year could be avoided if the US had mortality rates similar to its peer nations. Excess deaths among working-age adults are particularly stark, with nearly 50% dying before age 65 in 2020 and 2021.