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New study finds COVID-19 hotspots in Canadian urban centers

A new study identifies COVID-19 hotspots in Canadian cities across four provinces, with concentrations of cases linked to social determinants of health such as income, housing and visible minority status. The study calls for city-specific public health supports tailored to communities at disproportionate risk of COVID-19.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 14, 2022

Study finds global media repeated pandemic xenophobia, also global efforts to fight it

A University of Kansas study analyzed 451 news articles from major publications and found that media worldwide reported on the pandemic as a racial threat, often blaming China or Asia. The study highlights the importance of responsible language in media coverage to avoid perpetuating xenophobia and discrimination.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalAnalyses of Social Issues and Public Policy·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 10, 2022

Disadvantage impacts white men’s perception of privilege

A study by Cornell University researchers found that white men who have faced disadvantages at work, particularly those related to social identities such as disability or sexual orientation, are more likely to acknowledge their own racial privileges and empathize with the experiences of other groups. The research involved 5,124 white m...

SourceCornell University·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateFeb 2, 2022

Forensic researchers call for proactive efforts to address racism

The article highlights the importance of addressing systemic racism in forensic sciences by engaging with descendant communities and institutions. Forensic researchers advocate for repatriation and interment of remains collected without consent, emphasizing the need for uncomfortable conversations and criticism on issues related to race.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalThe Anatomical Record·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 4, 2022

Racial discrimination may affect whether people respond to email

Researchers found that Americans were less likely to respond to an email survey from a person believed to be Black than from a person believed to be white. The study, which analyzed responses from over 250,000 people, suggests that racial bias can influence everyday communication behaviors.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2021

Violence increased most in marginalized neighborhoods early in the COVID-19 pandemic

A new UC Davis study tracks firearm violence, assault, and homicide in 13 major US cities by zip code, revealing stark disparities. Firearm violence increased 29.3%, homicides by 27.7%, while robberies decreased 23.3% and rapes by 31.4% during the first five months of the pandemic.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 9, 2021

Using the law to advance public health equity: JPHMP presents update on public health interventions to address disparities related to structural racism

A special article in JPHMP presents a pathway for public health departments and practitioners to incorporate law into efforts to advance equity in health outcomes. The article highlights the illustrative case of Coal Run, where residents filed a civil rights complaint and ultimately received water services after decades of denial.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Public Health Management and Practice·DateNov 22, 2021

Poverty, racism and the public health crisis in America

Research highlights the intersection of poverty and racism in exacerbating US public health disparities. The US has a high rate of poverty despite collective wealth, disproportionately affecting communities of color. Beech emphasizes the need for policies to increase access to care and address institutionalized racism.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateNov 11, 2021

Uncovering racial disparities in nonfatal police shootings

A study of four US states finds that Black people are more likely to be nonfatally shot and injured by police, with disparities greater than seen for fatal shootings. The research highlights the need for comprehensive data on police shootings to draw reliable conclusions about racial disparities.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateNov 10, 2021

Addressing racism in preventive services

The USPSTF report examines the intersection of racism and health inequity in preventive services, highlighting existing definitional and conceptual issues. The study aims to improve patient care by addressing these disparities, which have significant implications for health outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 8, 2021

Discrimination increases risk for mental health issues in young adults

A UCLA study found that young adults experiencing discrimination are at a higher risk for short- and long-term behavioral and mental health problems. The study suggests that the effects of discrimination are connected to disparities in care and institutional discrimination, leading to inequities in diagnoses, treatment, and outcomes.

Medical providers less able to detect authentic pain among Black people than White people, study finds

A new study by E. Paige Lloyd found that medical providers are better at discerning real from fake pain expressions for White people than Black people. This disparity in pain detection could contribute to racial disparities in pain care and treatment recommendations.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2021

‘Superhuman, but never enough’: Essay details inequities experienced by Black women physicians in the United States

Black women physicians in the United States encounter barriers such as lower earnings and reduced promotion opportunities, despite having the same training and expertise as their colleagues. The essay highlights the need for sustained efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic medicine to address these disparities.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Lancet·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 15, 2021

Penn researchers to study the impact of environmental and economic interventions on reducing health disparities in Black Philadelphia neighborhoods with nearly $10 million grant

The study will assess the impact of environmental and economic interventions on health and well-being in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Researchers will enroll 720 adults, half receiving the proposed interventions, and evaluate their overall health and wellbeing, as well as violent crime rates.

Italian sailors knew of America 150 years before Christopher Columbus, new analysis of ancient documents suggests

Ancient Italian writings suggest that Genoese sailors were aware of North America 150 years before Columbus' famous voyage. The discovery, made by Professor Paolo Chiesa, refers to an area known as 'Markland'/ 'Marckalada', mentioned in Icelandic sources and identified as part of the Atlantic coast of North America.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalTerrae Incognitae·DateOct 8, 2021

Excess deaths disproportionally occurred among Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Latino males and females during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

A large study found that excess deaths during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic were significantly higher among Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Latino males and females. The disparities were attributed to structural and social determinants of health with deep roots in racism.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 4, 2021

Republican-led states lifted pandemic restrictions earlier, study finds

A new study from the University of Washington found that Republican-led states eased social distancing policies two weeks earlier than Democratic-led states, despite large Black communities being hit hardest by the pandemic. The researchers analyzed five policies and found that public health indicators played a role, but the influence ...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPerspectives on Politics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2021

The Lancet: More than half of police killings in USA are unreported and Black Americans are most likely to experience fatal police violence

A new study by The Lancet found that over 55% of police killings in the USA are unreported and Black Americans are 3.5 times more likely to experience fatal police violence than white Americans. Researchers estimate an additional 32,000 deaths from police violence between 1980-2019.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2021

As diversity increases in workplaces, so do discrimination complaints; A new study finds ethical leaders mitigate those issues

A new study by Brigham Young University and Inha University found that diverse organizations with ethical leaders reduce conflict and racial discrimination. Ethical leaders model integrity, honesty, and respect, which employees emulate to treat others fairly.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Public Administration Research and Theory·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 21, 2021

CDC’s “honor system” mask guidance threatened vulnerable communities

A CDC mask guidance update in May 2021 ignored realities that left vulnerable communities exposed to increased transmission of COVID-19. The guidance relied on the honor system to ensure unvaccinated individuals wore masks, but experts say this approach was flawed due to lack of verification methods.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 12, 2021

Black students disproportionately disciplined with suspensions and detentions in elementary school

A study of over 11,000 elementary school students found Black children are 3.5 times more likely to receive detentions or suspensions than their white peers, even after controlling for socioeconomic factors. This disparity suggests individual biases and systemic racism may be contributing to the findings.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateAug 12, 2021

Study links economic mobility to racial mortality gaps

A recent study by the American Cancer Society found a strong association between economic mobility and racial disparities in mortality in the US. The study suggests that structural racism has persisted with similar magnitude across generations, leading to increased death rates among Black individuals compared to their White counterparts.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalCancer Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 4, 2021

Cultural biases impact native fish, too

A study published in Fisheries Magazine explores how colonialist attitudes toward native fishes were rooted in elements of racism and sexism, leading to overfishing and degradation of native species. The study recommends shifting to a new paradigm that's more inclusive and beneficial to all fish and people.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalFisheries·TypeSurvey·DateJul 26, 2021