Articles tagged with Racial Inequality
A new study finds that de facto decriminalization of drug possession in Baltimore led to significant reductions in low-level drug-related arrests, mainly among the Black community. However, racial disparities persisted, with the ratio of street arrests in Black residents increasing after the policy change.
A recent study found that nursing homes serving Black residents have higher rates of hospitalizations and emergency department visits. The researchers attributed this to lower ratios of registered nurses and certified nursing assistants, as well as other structural characteristics.
A recent commentary highlights a potential hidden source of bias in electronic health records, which can impact clinical trials. Embedded pragmatic clinical trials rely heavily on EHRs for data collection, excluding people from underrepresented groups due to lack of access or inaccurate data collection.
A new study published in JAMA estimates the total economic burden of racial and ethnic health inequities in the US to be over $450 billion in 2018. The study also details costs of racial and education-related health inequities for each state, highlighting disparities among different racial and ethnic groups.
A nationwide VR research project is working to create diverse groups of participants to reflect real-world social dynamics. The Virtual Experience Research Accelerator (VERA) aims to provide researchers with access to large, reliable, and diverse groups for various VR research projects.
A new study from Tulane University found that eight social determinants of health significantly contribute to the racial mortality gap in the US. The research indicates that addressing these factors can eliminate the disparity in premature deaths among Black and White adults.
The study found that racial and ethnic health disparities cost the U.S. economy $451 billion in 2018, with education-related health disparities reaching $978 billion. The economic burden of health inequities is significant, but could be reduced by addressing structural contributors like racism and socioeconomic inequalities.
A new study reveals significant economic burden of racial and ethnic health inequities in the US, with minority populations facing $421-$451 billion in healthcare costs annually. The findings emphasize the urgent need for policy interventions to address these disparities and improve health outcomes for marginalized communities.
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.
A new University of Ottawa study found that educated Black individuals in Canada were hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to distrust in the healthcare network. The survey revealed that health literacy and racial discrimination played a significant role in this mistrust.
A positive school climate characterized by effective leadership and strong family ties can reduce disparities in emotional support and classroom organization for Black and Latine preschoolers. However, instructional support remains a concern despite improved school climate.
A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that chemical hair straighteners may affect a person's ability to become pregnant. Black and Hispanic individuals were more likely than other racial and ethnic groups to use these products, leading to a slight reduction in fertility rates.
A new study reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated racial inequalities in the US criminal legal system, with non-white individuals disproportionately receiving longer sentences. The study found that the population shift due to the pandemic increased the fraction of incarcerated Black and Latino people.
This study of 690 patients with early-stage breast cancer found racial disparities in pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, affecting survival outcomes. Racial disparities varied across different breast cancer subtypes and highlight the importance of understanding tumor biology.
A recent study published in JNCCN found that the lack of genomic research for people with African ancestry is hindering efforts to reduce disparities in prostate cancer outcomes. The researchers evaluated molecular genetic results for 113 Black South African men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, identifying 17 pathogenic and pot...
A new study finds that Black, Hispanic, and Asian children experienced substantial increases in firearm assault rates, while White children's rates remained the same. The disparity in risk of firearm injury nearly quadrupled between Black and White children.
A Boston University-led study found that Black women who reported experiencing interpersonal racism in employment, housing, and police interactions had a 26% higher risk of coronary heart disease. Racism has a real impact on the heart health of Black women, increasing blood pressure and inflammation.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that white guests are less likely to book with non-white hosts if they see featured reviews from previous white guests, but this effect is more pronounced for Black and Asian guests. Same-race endorsements on Airbnb can actually reduce racial discrimination in host selection.
A study published in the American Journal of Sociology found that urban Black youth living in segregated neighborhoods spent a substantial amount of time in areas with mostly white residents. They often traveled to predominantly white neighborhoods to access better-resourced schools, stores, and organizations.
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...
A survey of 3,021 people in Brazil found that Black women experience the highest rate of tooth loss, with a 26% higher proportion than white women. The study suggests that socioeconomic status and racism are major contributors to these disparities.
A new study found that Black women with depression more often report somatic and self-critical symptoms than traditional depression symptoms. The study suggests that health care providers may miss these symptoms, resulting in underdiagnosis and undertreatment.
A new study found that suicidal ideation increased by nearly five times during the pandemic, particularly among people living in low-income households and those struggling with loneliness. The study highlights the need for policies and programs providing financial and social support to vulnerable populations.
Black patients were more likely to experience cognitive impairments, mobility issues, and vision problems after a heart attack. Functional impairments disproportionately affected Black patients and were associated with higher mortality rates.
Research finds that White children who believe racial inequalities are caused by intrinsic differences show more racial bias against Black children. In contrast, those who see external factors as causes of inequality are less likely to exhibit biases.
A new study found that people with a higher sense of purpose in life have a lower risk of death from any cause, regardless of race or gender. The association was strongest among women, who may benefit more from the health-protective effects of purpose.
A new study found that the use of the BAME acronym in the football industry can cause discomfort and reinforce feelings of marginalization. Researchers recommend a more inclusive approach, allowing individuals to describe their heritage and background rather than relying on tick boxes for ethnicity classification.
A recent NIH-supported study found that Black adults treated at advanced heart failure centers received potentially life-changing therapies, such as transplants and heart pumps, about half as often as white adults due to racial bias. The researchers also suggest that unconscious bias and overt racism may be driving these disparities.
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that Black and Hispanic women are most likely to face functional limitations after a traumatic injury. The study identified that these disparities are largely driven by the intersection of being female, minority, and experiencing trauma.
According to Penn Medicine experts, health systems can utilize several strategies to help Black communities build wealth, including promoting job opportunities and investing in local economies. Wealth building has also been shown to improve health outcomes, as it affords choice and stability in housing, education, and nutrition.
A University of Michigan-led analysis found that training patients to voice their concerns and advocate for themselves can reduce the impact of physicians' racial biases on care. The study showed that 'patient activation' creates more equitable interactions between patients and physicians.
A new study reveals racial and gender disparities in access to life-saving heart-assisting implants, with Black patients and women facing lower rates of surgery. Despite similar survival rates, the findings suggest that unconscious bias may be influencing healthcare provider decisions.
Despite electronic health records, gaps in communication between primary care physicians and specialist physicians persist. The study found that 22% of PCPs report sending clinical information to specialists at the time of referral, and less than 35% receive information back after consultation.
The report proposes a health equity framework to address disparities in telehealth services, focusing on strategic priority, patient input, social determinants, and institutional racism. It calls for integrating equity and innovation efforts to ensure access to telemedicine and digitally enabled health tools.
A study found that Black adolescents experienced high rates of online racial discrimination, which predicted worse mental health outcomes. The researchers suggest that recognizing online spaces as impediments to mental growth and well-being is crucial.
Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins University, and New York University team up with a $3 million NSF grant to develop Project ELEVATE, promoting equitable STEM career advancement for underrepresented faculty. The alliance aims to create a collaborative community for institutional change at private research institutions.
A study by Tufts researchers found that only 6.8% of US adults had optimal levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, adiposity, and cardiovascular disease in 2017-2018. The prevalence of these conditions worsened significantly between 1999 and 2018, with large disparities across sex, age, race, ethnicity, and education levels.
A new report highlights the nation's race and ethnicity data shortcomings, recommending federal leadership on standardizing demographic data collection and reporting across critical issue areas. The report aims to help policymakers craft solutions that take into account where resources should be concentrated to address racial disparities.
A Swedish study found that male applicants with foreign-sounding names received significantly fewer callbacks than those with Swedish-sounding names. Applicants with Arabic/Muslim-sounding names faced the most significant barriers to securing rentals.
Racial gaps in NIH grant funding are attributed to the subjective review process and lack of diversity among reviewers. The NIH has proposed initiatives to address these disparities, including appointing diversity officers and allocating funding for research on health equity and health disparities.
A new study found that white students are more likely to receive special education for higher-status disabilities than Black and Latinx students. Boys are also more likely to receive special education than girls. These disparities are attributed to biases in how teachers observe and interpret student difficulties.
Overdose death toll has more than quintupled among American Indian and Alaska Native communities between 1999 and 2019, with opioid-related deaths increasing steeply. The study highlights the need for comprehensive interventions addressing socioeconomic factors and racial discrimination to tackle substance use disorders.
New research suggests that collective grief is a critical component of the Black grief experience, influenced by America's history of racialization and racial violence. This collective grief can be felt deeply due to strong community ties and kinship bonds formed during enslavement and historical trauma.
A new report highlights the intersection of autism, poverty, and non-white race/ethnicity, revealing increased rates of health concerns and care challenges. Autistic children living in lower-income households and those who are BIPOC disproportionately experience poor health outcomes.
A new survey study finds that COVID-19 may have amplified prejudicial attitudes towards ethno-racial minorities in the US workforce. The study, published in PLOS ONE, suggests that workplace discrimination can exacerbate prejudice and have long-term impacts on minority groups.
A study of over 4,800 medical oncology practices found that Black patients had higher rates of chemotherapy-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations compared to white patients. The researchers developed reliable measures to assess these inequities, with potential for identifying high- and low-equity practices.
Research by University of South Australia found that knowing the 'right' people is crucial for securing a job, while African migrants often struggle due to systemic discrimination and racism. The study highlights the importance of anti-racism work and social networks in migrant labor market integration.
New research provides recommendations for quantitative health sciences to better understand the impact of racism on adverse health outcomes. The paper suggests applying theoretical frameworks, community consults, and elevating Black, Indigenous, and Latine scholars to leadership positions.
A nationwide study found that Black and Hispanic individuals are 41% less likely than white individuals to receive CPR when suffering cardiac arrest in public and 26% less likely at home. The disparity persists regardless of neighborhood income level, suggesting access to training may play a role.
A new study found that clinics with higher FIT completion rates had added staff to support patients, provided educational materials, and offered on-call support. This approach reduced disparities among low-income and racially diverse populations, improving colorectal cancer screening outcomes.
A new article applies a health equity lens to the National Academies' recommendations for high-quality primary care. The authors propose strategies to operationalize these recommendations, aiming to eliminate existing health inequities and ensure equitable access to quality primary care.
A recent study from North Carolina State University found that experiencing racism is stressful for Black youth, while taking action to address racism also contributes to stress. The study suggests a reciprocal relationship between racism-related physiological stress and high-risk activism among emerging adults.
A new study by University of Houston sociologist Kathryn Freeman Anderson reveals significant disparities in the initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout in five urban Texas counties. The research found that Black and Latino neighborhoods were less likely to receive vaccines due to existing healthcare resource shortages.
A multi-faceted intervention resulted in timelier lung cancer surgery for Black patients, with median times of 23 days compared to 43 days for historical groups. The ACCURE trial improved treatment rates and reduced treatment delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of addressing racial inequities in care.
A new study finds that hospitals in predominantly Black and Hispanic areas have lower rates of offering programs addressing opioid use disorder. The researchers analyzed 446 nonprofit hospitals across the US, finding gaps in hospital-based services that contribute to racial disparities.
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.
A study led by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds that Black patients with dilated cardiomyopathy have a higher risk of family members being affected. The research analyzed data from 1,220 patients and their relatives, revealing that 39% of Black patients had at least one first-degree family member with the condition.