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Race and ethnicity modify the association between US socioeconomic status and metabolic disease

A new study finds that higher education and income have varying health benefits across different racial and ethnic groups in the United States. For non-Hispanic Black participants, higher educational attainment was only associated with a 4% reduction in type 2 diabetes prevalence, while higher income was linked to increased obesity rates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateJul 8, 2026

New research examines “remorse bias” in legal decision-making

Two studies by Rutgers University professor Colleen Berryessa explore how expressions of remorse are interpreted in the legal system, finding that it can lead to serious inequities in legal outcomes. The research highlights the need for greater awareness and education within the legal system to better understand how remorse is assessed.

SourceRutgers University Newark School of Criminal Justice·JournalAnnual Review of Law and Social Science·DateMay 11, 2026

Racism and socioeconomic stress may alter pregnancy biology, leaving black women nearly three times more likely to die

A study by the University of Cambridge found that racism and socioeconomic stress can alter key physiological processes in the body during pregnancy, leading to higher rates of preeclampsia and preterm birth in black women. These changes are not due to genetic differences but rather persistent socio-environmental stressors.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalTrends in Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 28, 2026

Living in historically redlined neighborhoods may reduce one’s ability to conceive

Two studies led by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that people living in redlined neighborhoods were less likely to conceive than those in favorable areas. The findings suggest that historical practices like redlining continue to influence reproductive health disparities in present-day communities of color.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 25, 2026

Maternal race and immigration linked to obstetric trauma: higher risk among Asian mothers and Black immigrant/refugee mothers

A large study found that Asian mothers experience a 1.5-fold higher rate of obstetric trauma, while Black immigrant and refugee mothers have a 20-30% higher risk. The study also found that immigrants with shorter duration of residence had higher initial risk of obstetric trauma, which declined with increasing time in Canada.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2026

Decision-making nudges improve racial equity in academic promotion

A study published in Nature Communications found that evaluating multiple candidates simultaneously reduces racial disparities in promotion and tenure decisions. This structural change increases Black and Hispanic faculty members' promotion chances by 16.2%, effectively eliminating racial disparities at the department level.

SourceUniversity of California - Merced·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 23, 2026

Prevention of cardiovascular disease events and deaths among black adults via systolic blood pressure equity

A modeling study suggests that achieving systolic blood pressure equilibrium would significantly decrease the number of cardiovascular disease events and fatalities experienced by non-Hispanic black U.S. adults. Initiatives to maintain normal blood pressure and control hypertension could substantially improve health equity in the U.S.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 4, 2025

Trump is the primary source of US disinformation in POC media, finds ICFJ study

A new study by the International Center for Journalists and US universities found that Trump was the main source and distributor of disinformation in ethnic and Indigenous press in the US. The research also linked the prevalence of political disinformation to a decline in trust in the news and an increase in violence against journalists.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·TypeContent analysis·DateOct 1, 2025

Racial discrimination may increase psychosis risk

A major review of international evidence found that racial discrimination contributes to the development of psychosis, with people experiencing discrimination being 77% more likely to develop psychotic symptoms. The study highlights the need for public health action to tackle systemic racism and its impact on mental health disparities.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 24, 2025

Choosing safer personal care products can help lower exposures to risky chemicals

A study of Black and Latina women in South Los Angeles found that choosing safer personal care products can significantly lower exposures to risky chemicals. Women who avoided fragrance, parabens, and oxybenzone had lower levels of these chemicals in their urine compared to those who did not avoid them.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Justice·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2025

Study: Some Chicago clubs use racist tactics to discourage Black patrons

A new study by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that some Chicago clubs charge Black patrons more for drinks compared to white patrons. The study used pairs of similarly dressed Black and white men to test pricing practices at 30 nightclubs in a central nightlife district.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalSocius Sociological Research for a Dynamic World·TypeObservational study·DateSep 10, 2025

Former DOJ scientists advocate for justice-focused crime research as federal funding faces cuts

Two former Department of Justice scientists argue for transformative crime prevention research prioritizing social justice alongside public safety. They emphasize the need for research incorporating community perspectives and collaborative approaches to prevent harm and promote justice.

SourceRutgers University Newark School of Criminal Justice·JournalThe Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·DateAug 20, 2025

Pandemic-era child tax credit lowered anxiety and increased food security, stable housing among young children, but excluded many low-income, immigrant families

A new study found that the expanded child tax credit reduced anxiety and improved food security and housing stability among young children. However, it excluded many eligible low-income and immigrant families due to minimum income requirements.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJul 2, 2025

Study shows higher concentration of cannabis retailers in low-income neighborhoods with more Black and Hispanic residents

A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals a significant correlation between socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and increased cannabis retailer presence. Neighborhoods with higher concentrations of low-income Black residents had 2.53 times more cannabis retailers than high-income predominantly Wh...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 2, 2025

New research in JNCCN finds stark disparities in treatment and survival time for people with pancreatic cancer

Researchers found significant disparities in quality of care and outcomes for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Patients with higher social vulnerability indices were less likely to receive guideline-concordant systemic therapy, palliative care, or survive over 12 months.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateApr 9, 2025

Despite high employment rates, Black immigrants in the United States more likely to be uninsured, USC study shows

A recent USC study found that Black immigrants in the United States have a 9% higher likelihood of being uninsured compared to U.S.-born white adults, despite having a 70.2% employment rate. The disparity is attributed to wage penalties and systemic barriers related to race and immigration status.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 3, 2025

Black men — including transit workers — are targets for aggression on public transportation, study shows

A new study by Gwendolyn Purifoye found that Black men are targeted with aggression on buses and trains, leading to erosion of their sense of dignity and self-worth. The researchers observed repeated avoidance behaviors by non-Black passengers and surveillance by authority figures.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalSociology of Race and Ethnicity·TypeObservational study·DateNov 22, 2024

Black Britons from top backgrounds up to three times more likely to be downwardly mobile

A new study by the University of Kent reveals that Black Britons, even from affluent families, are substantially more likely to end up in working-class jobs than their White peers. The research found that Black men from privileged backgrounds are four times more likely to be downwardly mobile after education is taken into account.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalSociological Research Online·TypeSurvey·DateNov 19, 2024

Racial disparities in dementia determined by social factors

A new study by researchers at WashU Medicine found that people of predominantly Native American or African ancestry have a higher prevalence of dementia due to social determinants of health. These factors include lower education levels, rural residency, and high blood pressure, which raised their risk of cognitive decline.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

Black drivers in Chicago more likely to be stopped by police than ticketed by a camera

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that Black drivers in Chicago are disproportionately more likely to be stopped by police (70% vs. under 20%) than being ticketed by speed cameras (54% vs. just under 50%). Researchers call for authorities to investigate racial biases in traffic systems.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 3, 2024

Black people who fatally overdose in Pennsylvania are half as likely to receive naloxone as white people

A new study of 11,000 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania found that Black people who died from an overdose were half as likely to have received naloxone as white people. This racial disparity in naloxone administration highlights the need for targeted strategies to distribute life-saving medication and educate communities about its use.

SourceSociety for the Study of Addiction·JournalAddiction·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 29, 2024

Green infrastructure plans need to consider historical racial inequalities, say researchers

Urban green infrastructure projects can bring health and climate benefits, but their distribution is unequal in urban landscapes. Researchers recommend a justice-oriented approach that considers historical development patterns and existing power structures to ensure equitable access to environmental amenities. This includes building re...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalUrban Forestry & Urban Greening·DateMay 21, 2024

Hepatitis B is globally underassessed and undertreated, especially among women and Asian minorities in the West

A new study reveals that chronic hepatitis B is globally undertreated, especially among women and Asian minorities in the West. The research highlights the need for targeted outreach to reduce new infections and deaths, with oral antiviral therapy being a lifesaving but underutilized treatment option.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Hepatology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 1, 2024

Majority of acute care hospitals do not admit representative proportion of Black Medicare patients in their local market

A study analyzing Medicare admissions at nearly 2,000 acute care hospitals nationwide found that most hospitals admitted a significantly different proportion of Black fee-for-service Medicare patients compared to the surrounding hospital market. Hospitals admitting fewer Black patients may have lower care quality.

Black women hospitalised in USA with blood infection resistant to last-resort antibiotic at increased risk of death

A recent study published at the ESCIMD Global Congress found that Black female patients are at higher risk of death from carbapenem-resistant enterobacterales (CRE) bloodstream infections. The study analyzed data from 362 US hospital patients and discovered that Black females had a significantly increased risk of mortality compared to ...

Visiting white parts of town make some Black kids feel less safe

A new study by Ohio State University found that Black youth feel less safe when visiting predominantly white areas of their city. The study, which involved 1,405 11- to 17-year-old youths, showed that Black kids who spent more time in white-dominated areas felt less safe and had higher levels of chronic stress, measured by hair cortiso...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·TypeObservational study·DateApr 10, 2024

New commentary: Combatting digital redlining is imperative for advancing health equity

A new commentary from Boston University School of Public Health emphasizes the need to address digital redlining, which disproportionately affects people of color, low-income communities, and rural populations. The authors propose standardizing social determinants of health screenings to include questions about broadband access.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 20, 2024

Black women teaching science find formula for incorporating anti-racist practices, study finds

A new study by NYU researchers found that Black women teaching science are finding innovative ways to combine traditional curricula with lessons on race, gender, and class inequities. They make cultural connections to science, encourage critical thinking, and provide historical contexts to help students understand the impact of systemi...

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Research in Science Teaching·TypeObservational study·DateNov 6, 2023

Does guideline-based treatment prevent racial disparities in cardiovascular outcomes?

A secondary analysis of the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) cohort study found that black and non-black women with obstructive coronary artery disease had similar long-term cardiovascular outcomes. The study suggests that guideline-based treatment, including statins and ACE inhibitors, may reduce racial disparities in cardi...

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 26, 2023

New research reveals historic migration’s link to present-day implicit racial bias

Research found that counties with larger Black populations during the Great Migration (1930) showed stronger implicit bias against Black people among White respondents. The study supports the Bias of Crowds theory and highlights the need for structural solutions to combat racial inequity.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023