A new study found COVID-19 hotspots in Canadian cities are concentrated along social determinants of health, including visible minority status. Prioritizing public health supports to specific neighborhoods can help curb transmission and improve pandemic response.
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.
A new study found that physicians' attitudes about racism's effects on health predict their willingness to intervene when observing racist incidents. Fewer than half of respondents spoke up against racism they observed in the hospital, highlighting the need for training and support.
Researchers linked El Niño to decreased enslaved Africans transported to the Americas due to drier conditions, indicating a two-year lag. The study highlights the interplay between weather and human conflict, with lessons applicable to modern-day climate change and potential conflicts.
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.
During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, firearm injuries increased significantly in Massachusetts, with a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic men. The study found that unemployed individuals from these groups were more likely to experience firearm injuries, highlighting the need for targeted violence prevention services.
Researchers found no notable differences in early hospital arrival time or use of EMS for first-time and recurrent strokes, despite varying patient characteristics. The study highlights the need for more information about stroke signs and symptoms to improve hospital arrival times and reduce disability.
A recent analysis of eight long-running research prizes found that only 4.7% of historical awardees were Asian. The number of Asian awardees has declined to just 2.6% in the last decade. Fewer than 1% of top biomedical research prize winners are Black or Latinx, highlighting significant underrepresentation in the field.
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...
Research by Aerika Loyd and her team found that microaggressions against Black adolescents are more subtle, but still impactful, and can lead to poor mental health and academic problems. Positive thinking is a helpful coping mechanism for both girls and women, reducing externalized symptoms and mental health impacts.
Experts convene to examine how social determinants affect maternal, infant, and lifelong health outcomes. The workshop aims to reduce disparities and inequities in obstetric care.
The CHAMPS program, a multi-year quality improvement initiative in Mississippi, increased breastfeeding rates by 10 percentage points overall, with significant gains among Black mother-baby dyads. Rooming-in practices also improved, leading to reduced infant mortality and morbidity.
A study found frequent rates of respiratory infections in children under 3 years of age in isolated First Nations communities, related to poor housing conditions. High levels of mould and endotoxin were also detected, with 85% of houses lacking controlled ventilation.
Historic redlining in Baltimore continues to impact present-day health outcomes, with lower average life expectancies observed across affected communities. The study highlights the persistence of systemic racism and unequal access to healthcare in these areas.
A new study found that federally qualified health centers administered 61.4% of vaccines to people of color, compared to 40% in the general US population. FQHCs played a critical role in increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates among marginalized communities.
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.
A study of over 6,000 women found that US-born Black women are at higher risk of preeclampsia, but this is not solely due to their racial background. Factors such as biology, social and cultural elements, and access to healthcare also play a role in this disparity.
A new study led by Boston Medical Center researchers shows that Black individuals who were incarcerated have a statistically significant 65% increase in mortality rates compared to non-Hispanic non-Black individuals. This finding highlights the long-term impacts of incarceration on health, particularly among marginalized communities.
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
A study by Dr. Felix Hagemeister found a significant link between right-wing populist party victories and an increase in far-right protests, particularly in areas with relatively liberal attitudes.
A new guideline outlines 13 recommendations to address health inequities exacerbated by COVID-19, including addressing racism and poverty. Implementing these policy changes can help reduce the burden of COVID-19 on marginalized communities.
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.
A study by the CDC found a strong association between obesity and diabetes, both of which are widespread in the U.S., and severe COVID-19 disease. In South Carolina, chronic diseases disproportionately affect Black communities, increasing their risk of developing severe COVID-19.
The study aims to dismantle frameworks supporting racial biases in medicine and presents a blueprint for schools to identify problematic instances of racism. Key recommendations include challenging biological notions of race, embedding structural practices, and promoting institutional climate change.
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.
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.
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.
A new study examines factors contributing to breastfeeding disparities, citing a lack of acceptance in Black culture and experiences of racism in healthcare. The study encourages healthcare providers to address these disparities through trauma-informed care and acknowledging microaggressions.
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.
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.
The USPSTF has developed strategies to address systemic racism in its recommendations, aiming to promote health equity in preventive services. The new approaches focus on eliminating disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
Women face unique socioeconomic barriers that set back their cardiovascular health early in life, increasing risk of heart attack and stroke. These disparities can be mitigated through policy changes, community support, and diversification within the cardiology workforce.
Research finds that white Americans perceive a threat to their culture when presented with changing demographics in hypothetical neighborhoods and schools. This perception fuels fears of foreign cultural threat from racial and ethnic minorities, contributing to the persistence of segregation.
The University of Ottawa has launched the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health (ICBH), a leading research center examining biological, social, economic, and cultural determinants of Black health. The ICBH aims to identify priorities in research on physical and mental health disparities among Canada's Black communities.
A new research center, C2DREAM, will study the impact of structural and interpersonal racism on health inequities for BIPOC communities. The program aims to develop novel cardiovascular health interventions for rural and urban BIPOC communities.
Research links Social Vulnerability Index scores with higher rates of cardiovascular disease death in young and middle-aged adults. The study highlights the urgent need for tailored interventions to address social risks in socially vulnerable communities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new study by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that historic redlining policies continue to impact maternal health, with higher rates of pre-terms birth and maternal complications in Black women. The study used digitized HOLC maps to examine the relationship between housing policies and health outcomes.
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 ...
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.
Researchers examined online consumer reviews to identify experiences of racism in US hospitals. They found significant disparities in care and treatment for patients of color. The study highlights the need for improved diversity and inclusion training in healthcare institutions.
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.
A study of over 2,500 participants found that white Americans are more likely to dismiss information from Black peers and rate them as less skilled. However, when given the chance to work alongside Black peers, the bias disappeared, highlighting the importance of direct interaction in overcoming racial disparities.
A study by University of Texas at Dallas researcher Dr. Sheen S. Levine found that white Americans are prone to making poor decisions when they ignore their Black peers. When given the opportunity to witness Black peers' accomplishments, however, the racial attention deficit subsides, suggesting a remedy for diversity efforts.
A study found that Airbnb's Smart Pricing algorithm narrowed the racial revenue gap, but only for Black hosts who adopted it. The algorithm increased monthly occupancy and overall revenue for Black hosts by nearly 9% and $13.92 a night.
Researchers found that candidates' pro-gun messages and NRA funding influence voters' evaluations, with racial resentment moderating the effects. Voters who own guns or are racially resentful were more likely to support candidates with similar views, while those low in racial resentment preferred pro-gun control candidates.
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.
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
More than 100 resolutions have been passed naming racism a public health crisis, with less than 1 in 5 explicitly mentioning funding for initiatives. The surge is linked to greater national attention brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice movements.
A new health program aims to improve pregnancy outcomes for Black patients by combining four evidence-based strategies, including racially concordant care providers and coordinated care. The five-year study will enroll 432 women and compare their experiences with usual maternity care versus a new model.
A team of Black female clinicians and researchers propose an Afrocentric health-promotion approach to combat vaccine hesitancy among Black Canadians. The LEAPS framework encourages providers to respect patients' values, views, and concerns when offering vaccine recommendations.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine, MAHEC, and community partners will address racial disparities in maternal care by improving data accountability and providing community-based doula support. The study aims to decrease pregnancy complications for Black women and improve outcomes in maternal care.
A study found that older adults are more likely to misperceive black children as angry, regardless of their actual age. In contrast, white children are less frequently misjudged in this way.
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.
Researchers at Temple University are conducting a 5-year study to compare two approaches for reducing heart disease risk factors in Black birthing people. The study aims to eliminate disparities in heart disease among Black women and birthing people during and after pregnancy.
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.