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Communities of color disproportionately exposed to PFAS pollution in drinking water

A new study links disproportionate siting of PFAS sources near watersheds serving communities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents. The research suggests that regulating PFAS releases and ensuring safe drinking water is crucial in protecting public health, particularly in vulnerable communities.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 15, 2023

How love, health, and neighborhood intersect for Black Americans

A new study from the University of Illinois explores how romantic relationships, neighborhood quality, and mental health intersect among Black Americans. The research reveals significant effects of neighborhood quality on mental wellbeing, with a notable interaction between relationship functioning and neighborhood quality for Black men.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 11, 2023

Substantial racial inequalities despite frequent health care contact found in treatment for opioid use disorder

A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found significant racial inequalities in treatment for opioid use disorder, with White patients receiving medication up to 80% more frequently than Black and Hispanic patients. Despite similar numbers of healthcare visits, disparities persist.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 10, 2023

The Voting Rights Act’s impact on Black representation in local government

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 significantly increased Black representation in local government, particularly in county commissions where coverage was implemented. The study found that capital spending grew more rapidly in these counties with higher shares of African Americans, indicating a positive impact on local governance. However, ...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Political Economy·DateMay 9, 2023

Racism prevalent in US labor and delivery rooms

A recent study analyzing 46 million births across nearly three decades reveals a concerning pattern of maltreatment of non-white pregnant women, including disregarding their birthing wishes. The research suggests that medical induction of labor nearly tripled between 1990 and 2017 in the U.S., with no clear association with increased r...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 27, 2023

U.S. adults who felt discrimination at work faced increased risk of high blood pressure

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that U.S. adults who experienced workplace discrimination were more likely to develop high blood pressure. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,200 adults, suggests that work-related stress due to discrimination may be an emerging risk factor for card...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 26, 2023

A study analyzes racial discrimination in job recruitment in Europe

A new study analyzing European job applications found that having a non-white phenotype reduces the likelihood of employment by approximately 20%, while dark-skinned Caucasians face a 10% decrease compared to white applicants. The combined effect of ethnicity and phenotype leads to significant discrimination levels across Europe.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalSocio-Economic Review·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2023

Does immigration really increase crime?

Researchers led by Nicolas Ajzenman found that immigrants don't increase crime rates, but people's perception of crime does. In Chile, migrants' presence sparked concerns among citizens, with those exposed to immigration inflows more likely to rank crime as a top concern.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAmerican Economic Journal Applied Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 29, 2023

Black Americans, low-income Americans may benefit most from stronger policies on air pollution

A new study found that stronger air pollution rules would lower premature death risks for all Americans, but particularly those from marginalized communities. Lowering PM2.5 levels to 8 μg/m3 could reduce mortality rates by 4% for White higher-income adults and up to 7% for Black higher-income and low-income adults.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 24, 2023

Study finds relationship between discrimination and frailty in Black cancer survivors

A recent study by researchers at Georgetown University found a significant association between discrimination and frailty among Black cancer survivors. The study, which surveyed over 2,200 participants, revealed that those who experienced more discrimination had higher frailty scores, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalCancer·TypeSurvey·DateMar 20, 2023

Study reveals inequity in journal peer review

A study by Michigan State University researchers found that authors from historically excluded groups face worse peer review outcomes, with authors from Asia and countries with low social and economic development facing rejection rates of up to 50% higher than those from Western countries. The study suggests that journals can adopt sol...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 13, 2023

Older Black men are likelier to die after surgery than others, particularly following elective procedures, new UCLA research suggests

Researchers found that Black men have a higher mortality rate after surgery compared to other groups, with a 50% higher risk of death after elective procedures. The study suggests that structural racism, poor pre-operative care, and exposure to toxins may contribute to these disparities.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe BMJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 1, 2023

Study finds association between lifetime experiences of discrimination and incidence of dementia

A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine found a strong association between lifetime experiences of discrimination and the incidence of dementia. Researchers analyzed data from over 6,500 participants and discovered that individuals who reported experiencing more than two domains of discrimination had a greater risk o...

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·DateFeb 28, 2023

Black women of childbearing age more likely to have high blood pressure, raising pregnancy risks

A new study found that Black women of childbearing age are twice as likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure as their white peers, increasing their risk of heart-related complications during pregnancy. Food insecurity was also a significant issue among Black and Hispanic women, with one in four experiencing food insecurity.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateFeb 27, 2023

Racial stereotypes vary in digital interactions

A recent study found that Black bots were perceived as more competent and human than their White and Asian counterparts in digital interactions. This challenges past research on human-to-human interactions and highlights the importance of understanding how racial stereotypes interact with artificial intelligence.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateFeb 23, 2023

Cystatin C shows promise as an additional biomarker to calculate kidney function and stage chronic kidney disease

A study found that cystatin C-based eGFR was strongly correlated with creatinine-based eGFR and that 27% of patients would be classified as having a more severe chronic kidney stage based on cystatin C test results. The use of cystatin C can lead to changes in CKD staging, which can impact clinical management.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalKidney Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Self-fulfilling prophecy: When physicians associate race and culture with poor health outcomes

A novel study found a direct relationship between belief in race as a cultural phenomenon driving health disparities and the use of race in care among family physicians. The study suggests that using race without recognizing social, political, and economic factors can stigmatize racially minoritized people and worsen health disparities.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 9, 2023

New study explores the challenges and suggests opportunities to improve retention for underrepresented in medicine (URiM) medical faculty

A study found that URiM faculty identified supports such as leadership, professional development, and a collegial environment as key to their work. Challenges to advancement included a lack of transparency and trust, high workloads, and reported experiences of racism.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalSouthern Medical Journal·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 2, 2023

State abortion bans based on sex, disability or race aren’t remedies against eugenics

A study by George Washington University professor Sonia M. Suter finds that reason-based abortion bans harm minority groups and restrict reproductive rights. The research challenges the notion that such bans are a remedy against eugenics, revealing instead a performative effort to justify discriminatory policies.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalJournal of Law and the Biosciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 2, 2023

‘Racial uplifts’ aid Asian American well-being

A new study by Cornell University researchers has discovered the benefits of positive everyday racial encounters for Asian Americans. The study found that experiencing 'racial uplifts' - such as bonding over ethnic music or food, or sharing culture with others - reduces negative feelings and increases positive feelings and self-esteem.

SourceCornell University·JournalAmerican Psychologist·DateJan 31, 2023

Relying on customer surveys alone may mask poor service

A new study found that customers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups rated poorer quality service less negatively than white consumers. This suggests that relying solely on customer surveys to improve service may not be effective in addressing discrimination.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2023

Expanding the national dialogue on healthcare to include the intersection of structural racism and ageism

A position paper highlights the intersection of structural racism and ageism in healthcare, highlighting delayed care, exclusion from medical research, and adverse health outcomes. The authors advocate for increasing representation of diverse voices in healthcare policy discussions to promote solutions to these barriers to quality care.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJan 24, 2023

Across the US, white neighborhoods have more greenery, fewer dilapidated buildings, fewer multi-family homes

A nationwide study using Google Street View images found that predominantly White neighborhoods had better neighborhood conditions associated with good health, such as fewer neglected buildings and more greenery. In contrast, neighborhoods with residents who were primarily Black or of other minority races had fewer green spaces and mor...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2023

Discrimination cost Asian restaurants in US an additional $7.4 billion during the pandemic's first year, new study finds

A new study found that anti-Asian discrimination during the pandemic led to a nearly 20-percent drop in business at Chinese restaurants, resulting in an additional $7.4 billion in lost revenue. The researchers also found a strong link between political rhetoric blaming China for COVID-19 and the decline in business.

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2023