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Study finds higher risk in families of Black patients with inherited heart muscle disease

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.

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

Study finds that classrooms with more Black and Latinx students receive lower quality of teaching

A new study by researchers at New York University Steinhardt found that classrooms with higher percentages of Black and Latinx students receive lower quality of teaching. The study, which analyzed data from the Measures of Effective Teaching database, suggests that racial biases among teachers contribute to these disparities.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Education·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 14, 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

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.

Study links COVID-19 rates with nature equity, shows double burden for communities of color

A study by the San Francisco Estuary Institute, the Nature Conservancy, and the University of Illinois suggests that access to nature may contribute to lower COVID-19 rates, regardless of racial or socioeconomic identity. The research team found a strong correlation between green spaces and decreased COVID-19 incidence 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

Passage of recreational cannabis laws leads to some rise in use but not for all demographics

A study by Columbia University found that recreational cannabis laws led to increased past-year and past-month cannabis use among Hispanic, Other and non-Hispanic white individuals, but not among non-Hispanic Black people or those aged 12-20. The researchers also highlighted persistent racial disparities in cannabis arrests and incarce...

As dementia’s toll rises, new study shows major gaps in who gets care that could help them remain at home

A new study highlights significant disparities in dementia care availability by gender, race, ethnicity, education level, and family structure. The findings emphasize the importance of family caregivers, with those having available spouse or adult child support being less likely to move into nursing homes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2021

Study shows privilege, politics influence vaccine’s racial disparity

Researchers found that socioeconomic privilege and political ideology play a significant role in racial disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates. Counties with higher median incomes displayed lower disparities, while county-level educational disparities had a greater impact on unequal vaccination rates.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 11, 2021